![[UPDATED] Azalina: Govt should consider raising retirement age to 65](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.nst.com.my%2Fimages%2Farticles%2Fzlina_1747732059.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
[UPDATED] Azalina: Govt should consider raising retirement age to 65
PUTRAJAYA: Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said has suggested that the government consider raising the retirement age to 65, saying that it was her personal opinion.
"During my speech just now, I said that perhaps the government should look into increasing the retirement age to 65. That is merely my personal view," she told reporters after officiating the 2024 Excellent Service Award (APC) Ceremony and 2025 Retirement Farewell for the Law and Institutional Reform Cluster (UURI) today.
Azalina said her suggestion stemmed from the concept of "active ageing", adding that many older Malaysians remained active and energetic.
"Many older individuals are still very 'young' at heart. You would have to check with the relevant registry, but I believe the proportion of people aged over 60 is on the rise," she said.
When asked whether she would raise the matter in cabinet, Azalina replied, "No, I was merely speaking informally with those retiring."
She added that several countries, including some of Malaysia's Asean neighbours, had already implemented higher retirement age thresholds.
In Malaysia, the retirement age for civil servants has been revised three times in the past two decades through amendments to the Pensions Act 1980. It was raised from 55 to 56 in 2001, increased to 58 in 2008, and extended to 60 in 2012.
For the private sector, the Minimum Retirement Age Act 2012 sets 60 as the minimum retirement age.
In November 2024, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories) Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa said that the government had no current plans to raise the retirement age for civil servants.
However, she said that the government remained open to conducting a detailed study should the need arise.
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