To boost productivity and support senior workers, Singapore is continuing with its phased increase in retirement and re-employment ages.  From 1 July 2026, the retirement age will increase from 63 to 64 years of age and the re-employment age will increase from 68 to 69 years of age.  This means that when the changes take effect, employees may only be asked to retire once they turn 64, while eligible employees can continue to be re-employed until they turn 69.

To be eligible for re-employment, an employee must meet all of the following criteria:

• be a Singaporean citizen or permanent resident;
• have served their employer for at least 2 years before reaching the retirement age, if they were 55 or older when they were hired;
• are medically fit to work; and
• been assessed by their employer to have satisfactory work performance.

The plan to progressively raise the retirement and re-employment ages was first announced in 2019, when the retirement age was 62 and the re-employment age was 67.  It is intended that the retirement and re-employment ages will be increased further to 65 and 70, respectively, by 2030. ‍

Conclusion

Singapore is implementing strategic changes to its retirement landscape, progressively raising retirement and re-employment ages to ensure a resilient workforce for the future and to support older workers who are willing and able to extend their careers.  Employers should plan their workforce and upskilling requirements and review their internal policies and practices to align with these changes.

For More Information

OrionW regularly advises clients on employment matters.  For more information about employment regulations in Singapore, or if you have questions about this article, please contact us at info@orionw.com.

Disclaimer: This article is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice.