~ For the second time since 2019, NTUC raises these ages ahead of national schedule to benefit older employees ~
The National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) announced the raising1 of the Retirement Age (RA) and Re-employment Age (REA) across its workforce, one and a half years ahead of the national schedule2. NTUC’s RA will be raised to 64 and the REA to 69 years old, effective from 1 January 2025, in line with NTUC’s commitment to age-inclusive employment practices.
In total, NTUC, NTUC Club, NTUC Enterprise and its businesses3 now employ some 2,356 employees beyond the current statutory RA of 63. About 448 employees stand to benefit from the early raising of the RA4, while about 271 employees stand to benefit from the early raising of the REA5. Quotes by NTUC employees in response to the announcement can be found in Annex A.
NTUC is committed to supporting its older employees before they reach the RA and REA. For employees approaching retirement, NTUC engages them early to discuss their re-employment and retirement plans, offering targeted training opportunities to help them remain relevant. Older workers are also assured that their employment benefits and salary, remain consistent upon re-employment, unless there is a mutually agreed change in job scope and role. Employees on re-employment also continue to receive tailored learning and development support, as well as access welfare benefits like health screenings and retirement planning. In addition, NTUC also offers job redesign and flexible work arrangements where needed, to better support their continued contributions.
NTUC Secretary-General (SG) Ng Chee Meng said, “As a Labour Movement, we commit to giving our older employees access to meaningful employment opportunities. By raising the Retirement Age and Re-employment Age for our NTUC employees ahead of the national schedule, we are taking proactive steps to build a more inclusive workforce. We care for our older workers and can’t do without them – their wealth of experience, dedication, and resilience are invaluable in driving our economy forward and shaping a stronger Singapore. I call on more employers to take action to support their older workers too.”
NTUC will continue to champion the interests of our older workers, advocating for equal access to training opportunities and job redesign to help them stay competitive in an evolving workforce. Through updated skill sets, older workers can stay adaptable and relevant across various industries, while redesigned job roles leverage their strengths and address their evolving needs. Companies can work with NTUC and our unions to form Company Training Committees (CTCs) and tap on the CTC Grant, which can support their business transformation efforts, by enhancing productivity, exploring job redesign, and creating opportunities for the adoption of age-inclusive workplace practices.
1Previously in 2019, NTUC had announced the early raising of the RA and REA for NTUC employees to 63 and 68 respectively, which was implemented one and a half years ahead of the national schedule. Source: NTUC, “Post-National Delegates’ Conference cum Pre-Budget Dialogue with union leaders”, 8 Nov 2019
2At the Ministry of Manpower Committee of Supply 2024, it was announced that the RA will be raised to 64 while the REA will be raised to 69 from 1 July 2026. Source: Ministry of Manpower, “Speech by Minister for Manpower Dr Tan See Leng at Committee of Supply 2024”, 4 Mar 2024
3Comprising NTUC Enterprise, FairPrice Group, Income Insurance, NTUC First Campus, NTUC Health and NTUC LearningHub.
4These employees will turn 63 years old from 1 Jan 2025.
5These employees will turn 68 years old from 1 Jan 2025.
