Voluntary retirement by Allen Lockington

Submitted by AllenL on Thu, 07/01/2010 - 12:47pm

Once again government is looking at streamlining the Civil Service. This concept has been talked about by past governments. It seems a simple solution can’t be found.

The Civil Service could do with a little dusting.

I have a suggestion. Why not include a "voluntary" retirement age. Fifty would be ideal. This way we will not have to pay redundancy packages. I believe many will be content with what they will have saved and money is a non-issue. There will be a few, who are near or just past fifty, have bought a home and both wife and husband work. They will have grown up kids who have started or been working for five years and are no longer dependent because they followed their parents style of life. The youngest child could be in a tertiary institution which the now working children can look after.

These people should be rewarded by allowing them to retire and take their savings from the Provident Fund and enjoy their lives while they are still fit and able. Many of them probably can’t wait to turn fifty five so they can retire and go and do other things. They could have a farm they would love to go to 24/5. Have grand children they would love to take to the park or just stay home with.

Having spoken civil servants who fall into the category I mention, they say they would take the offer if given. But we make it voluntary only to those who have what I have quoted above. Because there are still many who are near fifty and have children in primary school and have many other social obligations to tend to. These people will not qualify of course.

Give it a try and if someone says that we could lose experienced people, nobody is indispensable. We have to groom people to take over.

Let’s do it or forever talk about it and develop the looking glass illness.