Shanghai, China (FRIDAY, 27th March 2015) — In line with his campaign promise during the run up to the January 20 presidential election, His Excellency Mr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu, President of the Republic of Zambia has directed the Ministry of Justice to immediately revise the law on retirement age to provide for three options an employee can exercise to retire.
The President has directed that the following changes be effected through an amendment to Statutory Instrument No.63 of 2014 to introduce a graduated arrangement that will afford employees the following options:
(a) Early Retirement – 55 years
(b) Normal Retirement – 60 years
(c) Late Retirement – 65 years
Accordingly, the Secretary to the Cabinet has since informed the Ministry of Justice Permanent Secretary Mrs. Patricia Jere to prepare the Statutory Instrument and to liaise with the ministries of Local Government and Housing and Labour and Social Security to amend the LASF Act and NAPSA Act respectively to reflect the revised retirement ages.
“The revised Statutory Instruments should clearly indicate that those who were employed before the effective date of the new Statutory Instruments will have the option of proceeding on either early retirement, normal retirement or late retirement as a way of securing their accrued rights,” directed the Head of State.
Those employed in the public service after the issuance of the said Statutory Instruments will only qualify for normal retirement at the age of 65.
The President’s order therefore necessitates the urgent need for the passage of the Social Security Bill into law.
Issued by:
Amos Chanda
SPECIAL ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT
(PRESS & PUBLIC RELATIONS)