More flexible jobs, higher tax relief among measures to help older workers stay employed
The raising of the retirement and re-employment ages will be brought forward to 2029 as assurance that seniors can keep working if they wish to, said tripartite partners.
The Singaporean government has announced new measures to support older workers staying employed, with a focus on flexible job options and higher tax relief. The retirement and re-employment ages will be raised from 64 and 69 to 65 and 70, respectively, beginning in 2029 – a year earlier than the previous plan of 2030. This change will prevent employers from dismissing employees based on age before the age of 65, and require them to offer re-employment to eligible staff until the age of 70.
Tripartite partners – the Ministry of Manpower, National Trades Union Congress, and Singapore National Employers Federation – announced these measures to encourage older workers to continue working and to make it easier for employers to hire and retain them. The government has fully accepted the recommendations from the Tripartite Workgroup on Senior Employment, with implementation details to be released in the first half of 2027.
Key elements of the new support include extending wage subsidies for employers who re-employ seniors, raising assistance for lower-wage senior workers, and increasing financial aid for those not re-employed. The government also plans to introduce the Flexi-Load Programme, which will allow employers to create and expand flexible work arrangements, such as part-time or fractional work, for older workers. This replaces the existing Part-time Re-employment Grant, which will end in 2027.
In addition to wage support, the government will provide career longevity resources, such as career planning and flexible workload arrangements, to help seniors plan for their longer working lives. The SkillsFuture Jobseeker Support scheme will also be reviewed to better assist senior workers transitioning between jobs. With Singapore's ageing population and shrinking workforce, these measures aim to create a more resilient and adaptable workforce, with a focus on multi-generational teamwork and leveraging the experience of older employees.
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