LETTERS: It is the hope of every rakyat that the government elected after the 15th General Election will fulfil its promises so that their needs are met.
In this context, as a rakyat and pensioner, I would like to voice the following concerns.
First, it is time to extend the mandatory retirement age from 60 to 62. Over the years, the pension age had wisely been moved up, first from 55 to 56, then to 58, and to the present 60.
Better healthcare services and a healthy lifestyle have led to a longer life span, generally.
A well and fit person can still work productively beyond 60. Many "young" pensioners of my time feel that we "had been retired" a bit too early.
Based on our acquired knowledge, skills and experiences, we believe that we could have added value to the organisations we were in if we were given more time.
I am sure many in the same situation today share similar aspirations. So, in the manifesto by any party, offer people at least an option to retire at 62.
Second, take another look at how pensions are formulated. One of the factors that must be reconsidered is the cap on the number of years in service at 30.
With the pensionable age being 60, and hopefully 62, most civil servants would have put in more than 30 years of service.
This is especially true of those in the lower-rank categories. For example, someone who starts working with a diploma qualification at 23 would have put in 37 years of service upon retirement.
That their last seven years of service would not be factored in the calculation of their pensions is not encouraging nor helping.
This may even be the reason for many (especially in the education sector) opting to retire as soon as they reach the 30-year threshold.
Their service could have gained much if they had remained. So, parties should factor in the full number of years of service in the calculation of pensions in their manifestos.
Third, reevaluate the two per cent annual increase to the pensions received.
The increased percentage should reflect and tally with the rising cost of living. There should be revision of the rate over time rather than a flat rate as is practised now.
Help pensioners, especially those in the lower-rank categories, to have enough and be independent financially.
K.C. LIONG
Seremban, Negri Sembilan
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times