'Retiring @ 58 Years Of Age For All', Can That Be Possible???
Yes, the Government had announced the good news last week. Our civil servants can now retire from work at fifty-eight years of age. Congratulations, I am really happy for them. That piece of very positive news will certainly be well received by our civil servants. I personally find retiring from work at fifty-eight years of age as reasonably acceptable for now. I must say that they have a very compassionate employer who was prepared to listen and wise enough to agree that their retirement age should be raised.
Unfortunately, those in the private sector are not as lucky and fortunate. Without any new policy in place, they will still have to retire at 50 (for women) and 55 or 60 years of age(for men). I fail to understand why we cannot revise our retirement to fifty-eight years of age for all, regardless of gender. Having a new retirement policy that can be seen to be at par with that of our civil service certainly benefits everyone. Pardon me, I really fail to understand as to where the problem lies. Can someone please enlighten me on this?
It appears to me that nobody seems to care for those working in the private sector. Yes, even our trade unions has not and is presently not looking at it. (I have yet to read anything on it.) To me, the least that they could have possibly did much earlier was to allow all women to retire only at fifty-five years of age. It is simply too early to retire them at fifty. Women, am I wrong by saying this? I believe that women are still reasonably young at the age of fifty. Right? So, why stop them from working at fifty then? I cannot understand why our trade unions and the relevant authorities are not pushing ahead with this issue. Or, to put it in another way they have yet to take the initiative to help put in place a new policy in the interest of our women in the private sector.
To me, nobody seems to be interested in this issue at this moment. Yes, even the trade unions appears to be satisfied and is in agreement that the present retirement age in the private sector is most appropriate because they are not seen taking the necessary action to change it. Or, are they waiting for other 'signals' before they proceed to discuss it in their negotiations? 'Are the 'signals' still there?' if I may ask? Or, 'do we have to wait for another few years for those 'signals' to come alive again?' I have no answers at all. Those who know should provide us with the answers.
To me, possibly nobody sees a cause to fight for this issue now. Yes, many will argue that those retiring can propose to the employer to extend his or her service to the Company. But, not all who are about to retire is allowed to extend his or her service. Am I right? (I stand to be corrected on this.) Then, if he or she is allowed to proceed working with the Company, it is always followed with a 'pay-cut' and a revision of perks or other benefits (in almost all such practises). What puzzles me most is that, 'are those who are allowed to extend his or her service, expected to be less responsible, less accountable, less efficient, less effective and less competent in their job?' If not, why have a 'pay cut'? Is it reasonably fair to them? Should the 'pay-cut', and the revision of perks or other benefits be seen as a means to deter or a form of punishment for continuing to work having reach his or her retirement age? Is this the way, how a caring society should reciprocate to those who are retiring after years and years of service? Please enlighten me.
The reason or reasons as to why our trade unions and the relevant authorities are not looking into this issue is certainly beyond my comprehension. Thinking aloud, my immediate assumption is possibly that they do not see the need to implement any change or perhaps the time may not be right yet. Perhaps later. Yes, maybe later.
I have neither vested interest nor any ulterior motives in this issue. But, I see a cause to speak my mind on it on behalf of the 'silent majority' in the private sector. Hopefully, with the grace of God, some (like minded men and women) of you can help and further this cause for the benefit of those working with the private sector soon.
'Retiring at fifty-eight years of age for all' can that be possible? Can you help make it happen?
(Yours truly looks forward to your comments and feedback, as it will truly reflect whether this issue is valid and worthy to proceed further.)
Note :- Kindly refer to my earlier post "Ready To Retiring @ 60 For Both Genders???" dated on the 2nd of May 2008 in this blog as well.
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I think women should retire at 55 or even better still at 58. The world had changed. To work a little longer and retire at the same age with men is fair and reasonable. We should treat those retiring better and not make it 'hell' if they decide to stay on working for another year or two. Right?
Comment by kim— 2008/05/15 @ 02:05 PM — (Reply)
Retiring @ 50 is neither here nor there. Go to EPF still cannot withdraw money. No money, how to stop working?????Got others to feed also. Looking for another job at that age is not easy. Take up other lower salary jobs also make me unhappy. Best, can straight work to retire at 55 0r 58. I happy. Others happy. Delay retirement can solve a lot of problems in a young society like us.
Comment by mei— 2008/05/15 @ 02:25 PM — (Reply)
Allowing those retiring to work by imposing a 20 to 30 percent in the salary, means that actually you are over-staying and your presence is not appreciated. But, with lower salary the management is happy they help the company to save more. Why do they have to do things like that? Its like adding salt to a wound. I'm already old and you make me feel worst. Retire at 58 is best for everybody.
Comment by old man— 2008/05/15 @ 02:42 PM — (Reply)
At fifty eight, one is still young. Many are still willing to serve and still aim to be at the top. In many cases, you only bloom at 60 or 70+. So carry on and serve until you feel its time that you retire. Work never ends. Someone else will take over.
Comment by A— 2008/05/15 @ 05:00 PM — (Reply)
Comment by Elmers Brother— 2008/05/15 @ 08:33 PM — (Reply)
Comment by Michael— 2008/05/15 @ 09:10 PM — (Reply)
Comment by Elmers Brother— 2008/05/16 @ 03:02 AM — (Reply)
I am absolutely agreed with you . It is rather too early for woman who work in private sector to retire at the age of 50 . It is actually a discrimination for women retirement age to be differ from men.
It seems nobody from the Trade Union or Government care to look into the matter about most of the women have to support their family financial in this modern world as many of them are sole bread earner . If the lady married at the age of 30 and above, which most of them do now . By the age of 50 , their children will just be starting their college and university life which required a boost of financial aid . Even KWSP have already amended their rule for their member are only allowed withdrawal at the age of 55. But , it’s a sad thing that they never enforced for all of the employees to be retire at the age of 55 regardless of their gender.
I am a middle management lady staff which I am not allowed to join the Union but my company bind all employees under CA Act . This is another area of unfair treatment for I was impossible to voice out for any unfair terms imposed to me. Our Company’s Union are running by men only. In fact, the employment letter offered to me did not state all the CA Act because I joined the company before the Union was formed. A year ago I have approached our Union Leader to request MIEU to write in to our top management to propose the retirement age of women to be changed to the age of 55 to go in line with current lifestyle. Until today, I feel disappointed as there is no action being taken upon it . It might be because I am not an Union member, they will not bother to look into non-members welfare which have been affected directly by their CA Act . I felt that MIEU have the duty to advised the Company’s Union representative to upgrade the relevant act from time to time. I have also consulted with the Labor Office on this matter, the officer answer was Labor office has no authorities in this area. When I referred the matter to a MCA Wanita Leader, she told me that this is a matter between employees and employers negotiation. I was really frustrated for having these type of answers.
Now, I am in a dilemma of whom am I going to seek for help as my 50 years old birthday is just near the corner . Must I face a pay cut from the company if I continued to serve the company on a contract basis while job duties are increasing day by day? I am afraid that I may not able to cover my family financial expenses with the pay cut on plus the addition of high inflation rate going on in Malaysia . Can someone able to tell me what to do? How could I make the vision of everybody can retire at 58 or 55 years old regardless of their gender and sectors to come true in a very short time?
Comment by Nicole— 2008/05/15 @ 10:37 PM — (Reply)
Comment by caroll— 2008/12/01 @ 01:58 AM — (Reply)
Comment by Ed— 2009/09/04 @ 09:44 AM — (Reply)