§ Mr. WebbTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list the retirement ages that apply to the employees of his Department and its agencies, including how many and which categories of employees are affected by each; and if he will make a statement on his Department's policy on flexible retirement. [32816]
§ Mr. LeslieThe Cabinet Office has a flexible retirement policy for its staff.
Grades below the senior civil service
- Age 60 is the normal age of retirement for all grades below the senior civil service. It is also the earliest age at which full superannuation benefits may apply.
- Retention beyond age 60 is possible up to age 70 subject to departmental needs and continuing health and efficiency. Retention beyond age 70 is allowed only in exceptional circumstances.
- Early retirement with actuarially reduced benefits is available to staff aged 50 or over.
- The Cabinet Office agencies closely follow the Cabinet Office model, with analogous discretions allowing for extensions of service.
The senior civil service
- The Cabinet Office is responsible for setting the retirement age for all members of the senior civil service. This is age 60. Heads of Departments and agency chief executives have flexibility to retain beyond this age if they judge it in the public interests and are satisfied about the fitness and efficiency of individuals to carry out their duties.