A measure that increases the mandatory retirement age for members of the Defence Forces, prison officers, and firefighters has come into effect today (19 August).

The change will allow uniformed public servants to work until they are 62 – up from the current 60.

It comes into effect after Paschal Donohoe (Minister for Public Expenditure, NPD Delivery and Reform) commenced the relevant provisions of the Courts, Civil Law, Criminal Law and Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2024.

Gardaí

The provisions to facilitate an increased mandatory retirement age for gardaí will follow shortly, according to the department.

In the meantime, existing retention arrangements in An Garda Síochána will continue to apply, ensuring that those who may reach retirement age in the interim period will be able to benefit from these changes once they come into effect.

The increase takes place within the context of the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform’s fast-accrual pension-policy framework.

Under this framework, fast-accrual pension terms will be facilitated until age 60. If an individual remains in employment beyond that age, their pension accrual reverts to a standard basis from that point until their retirement.

Minister Donohoe said that the change would help to retain valuable expertise in the public services.