Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi said that extending the retirement age for uniformed forces and civil servants aims to utilise their skills and experience effectively.
In an interview with <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/govt-clarifies-retirement-age-extension/">The Herald </a>on Tuesday, Ziyambi said this decision also considers the increasing life expectancy in the country, where middle-aged adults are now averaging into their 80s.
Effective immediately, the retirement age for members of the uniformed forces and the three civilian public services has been increased by five years.
Ziyambi explained that without this adjustment, either pensions would need to be reduced or the working population would have to support a larger number of older individuals.
He pointed out that advancements in technology and medicine have contributed to longer life spans, and many jobs do not require extensive physical labour. He stated:
<blockquote>
Why waste productivity and experience? Instead, we must tap into that. We must harness experience to ensure efficiency.
We started with the judges to say those capable must serve on the bench to harness experience in justice delivery.
</blockquote>
The retirement age for judges was adjusted to 70, with the option to serve until 75 for those who are mentally and physically fit.
Ziyambi addressed concerns from young people about employment opportunities, reassuring them that the job market would eventually adapt to these changes, as older workers will retire over time.
According to Statutory Instrument 198 of 2024, the retirement age for civil servants has been raised from 65 to 70.
Regular soldiers can now retire at 55, an increase from 50, with options to extend their service to 60 and even 65.
Additionally, commissioned officers in the Zimbabwe Defence Forces can now retire at 65, with the possibility to serve until 70.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

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The government of Zimbabwe is letting people in the military and civil service work for longer because they have valuable skills and experience. They also considered that people are living longer now. The retirement age has been increased by five years for these workers. This is to make sure pensions stay the same and not burden younger workers. The retirement age for judges is now 70, with an option to work until 75 if healthy. The government says the job market will adapt to these changes, offering more opportunities to younger people.

Zimbabwe Government Clarifies Retirement Age Extension For Uniformed Forces, Civil Servants

The government has increased the retirement age for members of the uniformed forces. According to Statutory Instrument (SI) 198 of 2024, the retirement age for regular soldiers is now 55, up from 50.
Members can extend their service up to 60 years, and up to 65 years if they are war veterans. For Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) commissioned officers, the retirement age is now 65, with an option to stay up to 70 years of age.
These changes will take effect from 1 January 2025. The SI states:
<blockquote>
IT is hereby notified that the Minister of Defence, in terms of section 113 of the Defence Act [Chapter 11:02], and after consultation with the Defence Forces Service Commission, has made the following regulations:-
1. These regulations may be cited as the Defence (Regular Force) (Non-Commissioned Members) (Amendment) Regulations, 2024 (No. 8). 
2025.
2. These regulations shall come into effect on the 1st January,
3. The Defence (Regular Force) (Non-Commissioned Members) Regulations, 1989, published in Statutory Instrument 172 of 1989, are amended in section 18 (“Retirement”) by the repeal of subsections (4), (5) and (6) and the substitution of-
“(4) A permanent member shall, whatever the length of his or her pensionable service, retire on attaining the age of fifty-five years:
Provided that-
(a) if the Minister, on the recommendation of the Commander, considers that it is desirable in the public interest, he or she may allow that member to continue to serve for a period of five years until he or she attains the age of sixty years; or
(b) if that member is allowed to continue to serve in terms of paragraph (a), the Commander may, on giving twelve months’ written notice to the member of his or her intention to do so, require him or her to retire before he or she has served that period.
(5) A member who has continued to serve in terms of proviso (a) to subsection (4) shall retire on attaining the age of sixty years:
Provided that a member who is a war veteran shall continue to serve for further periods, not exceeding twelve months at a time, until he or she attains the age of sixty-five years.
(6) A member who has continued to serve in terms of subsection (5) shall retire on attaining the age of sixty-five years.”
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

The government has made a new rule saying soldiers can now retire when they are older. Regular soldiers can retire at 55, but can work until they're 60 or 65 if they want. Leaders in the Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) can retire at 65 but can work until they're 70 if they choose. These rules start on January 1, 2025. Soldiers can keep working longer if they are needed.

Government Increases Retirement Age For Soldiers

In an interview with The Zimbabwe Independent reporter Nkululeko Sibanda (NS), Makokoba legislator Tshinga Dube (TD) revealed plans to retire after this year’s forthcoming elections. Dube said if he wins this will be his last term. He said he will go and rest at his farm where he will be available for consultation.
Dube said he has finished his memoirs and is waiting to launch them. Below is an excerpt of the interview:
<blockquote>NS: You are still active in politics at your age (77). Most of your contemporaries have exited politics or died.
How far are you willing to go?
TD: It is very true that I am no longer as young as most of today’s political players are. I am getting old. If I have to stand and win as an MP, this will be my last term. I will finally go to rest at my farm if God allows me to do so. I’m beyond my peak as a politician. I am only doing it so that we assist the younger people. Those who want to learn from my contribution to Zimbabwe and experience should feel free to come through; I’m available for engagement.
NS: You hinted that you would publish memoirs upon your retirement. Where are you with regard to that?
TD: In fact, I have finished the memoirs. I am just waiting for the launch. They are all about my biography; the experience in the war of liberation, as a civil servant, in the army, and in business, as well as my time in the Zimbabwe Defence Industries and political life.</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.theindependent.co.zw/2018/05/04/mnangagwa-must-apologise-gukurahundi-massacres/">Independent</a>

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