Tánaiste and Minister for Defence, Micheál Martin TD, today announced that the mandatory retirement age for Permanent Defence Force personnel will increase to 60 with effect from 29 March 2024.
The measure, which received Government approval today, will cover all Permanent Defence Force ranks that currently have a mandatory retirement age below 60. The maximum recruitment age will also be raised to 39 under the changes with effect from the same date.
The Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, Paschal Donohoe TD, also received Government approval today for a new fast accrual pensions’ policy framework and 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.
Speaking after Cabinet, the Tánaiste said:
“This change to the mandatory retirement age, which affects almost all personnel, will enable the Defence Forces to retain highly trained and experienced staff. It is essential that the Defence Forces retain, and develop for the future, skilled personnel and key specialists. Also, raising the recruitment age to 39 will mean more people will be eligible to sign up for a rewarding career in the Permanent Defence Forces.
“The recruitment and retention challenges facing our Defence Forces have been well documented, but these measures are a further step towards addressing these issues while also modernising the organisation as a whole.”
It is intended that this strategic move in increasing the mandatory retirement age will contribute to the retention of personnel in the Permanent Defence Force, which remains a challenge in the current buoyant economy, notwithstanding the range of pay and non-pay measures already implemented.
The continuity provided by allowing these experienced personnel to prolong their careers will also contribute to enhanced training experiences for new recruits.