Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 April 2024
147. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence his further plans to increase the retirement age for members of the Defence Forces and the Reserve Defence Force beyond the current age limit; when will the age be increased to 62 years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17684/24]
View answerAs of 29 March 2024, all Permanent Defence Forces and Reserve Defence Forces personnel who previously had a mandatory retirement age of less than 60, may remain in service until 60 subject to fulfilling certain existing criteria, for example physical and medical fitness.
As announced on 5 March 2024, in tandem with the changes made to the mandatory retirement age, a new fast accrual pensions' policy framework has been approved and the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform is preparing the necessary legislation which, when enacted, will allow for a further increase in the mandatory retirement age for all Permanent Defence Force ranks to 62. I will work closely with the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform as his Department works to progress the legislative changes required to finalise the new framework. It is anticipated that the same revised mandatory retirement age will apply to the Reserve Defence Forces.
