The Government of Zimbabwe has announced that the Civil Service retirement age will be extended from 65 to 70 years, effective 1st January 2025, allowing for the continued contribution of experienced professionals to national development.
Previously, the law required Civil Servants to retire at the age of 65. However, with the new amendment, they now have the option to extend their service until the age of 70.
The government has implemented the changes through Statutory Instrument (SI) 197 of 2024, titled Public Service (Amendment) Regulations, 2024 (No. 3), which formally extends the Civil Service retirement age from 65 to 70 years.
The Statutory Instrument (SI) 197 of 2024 amended the Public Service Regulations of 1992, which were published under Statutory Instrument 1 of 2000, by repealing sections 17 and 18. These were replaced with a new provision that states: “Pensionable age, retirement and mandatory retirement 17 (1) Subject to section 18, a member appointed on pensionable terms of service—(a) before the effective date, may have a pensionable age of sixty-five years with the option to retire at seventy years on full pension.”
Under the new amendments, civil servants now have the option to opt for early retirement at the age of 65, in addition to the extended retirement age of 70, allowing for greater flexibility in their career decisions.
These progressive changes aim to enhance government processes by leveraging the valuable experience and expertise of seasoned civil servants, ensuring continued efficiency and stability within the public service.
