Retirement age of new Hong Kong civil servants to rise to 65 under new plans

The retirement age of newly hired civil servants will be extended from 60 to 65 under a government plan to tackle the ageing population and shrinking workforce.

Although the retirement age for existing public sector employees will remain unchanged, department heads will be given more flexibility to keep those who reach retirement age.

Civil service groups generally supported the proposal but were worried that the promotion prospects of young civil servants would be hindered.

A human resources expert and an employer representative believed the private sector would follow suit.

Secretary for the Civil Service Paul Tang Kwok-wai said yesterday: "In the face of the demographic challenges arising from an ageing population and a shrinking workforce, the government … considers it an opportune time to examine possible options for extending the working life of civil servants."

Current civil servants who want to work beyond 60 would be able to file applications to their departments.