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Stay in until 60 |
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MOST permanent ADF members will be able to serve to the age of 60 under a change expected to take effect by July 1. Defence Minister Brendan Nelson said the change would offer greater career flexibility and certainty in planning for later retirement. “The former compulsory retirement age of 55 meant that many ADF members left the military early to establish other employment options. Ongoing service will now be encouraged by having a clear ADF career path until age 60,” Dr Nelson said. “A retirement age of 60 better reflects community standards and allows the ADF to retain the skills and experience of its highly trained people longer. “It also recognises that age can be an unreliable predictor of ability to perform and that ADF members are remaining fit, motivated and capable of serving beyond the current general retirement age of 55 years.” He said the initiative meant the potential recruitment pool had been expanded. Candidates would be considered for ADF entry as long as they met aptitude, health and physical fitness standards. Some careers such as aircrew, commandos and entry through the Defence Academy would maintain their current age limit for entry. Dr Nelson said superannuation arrangements would remain unchanged for current ADF contributors and eligible members of MSBS would be allowed to access their benefits at age 55 if they chose to leave the workforce then. He said the compulsory retirement age for reservists would be extended to 65. “Increasing the retirement age for the reserves recognises the need to maintain their specialist skills and also allows retiring permanent force members to undertake further military service for up to another five years in the Reserve elements,” he said. “Continued military service remains subject to ADF members maintaining their health and physical fitness standards irrespective of age.” |