S’pore to raise retirement age to 65, re-employment age to 70 in 2029; expand flexi work for seniors

Singapore plans to raise the retirement age to 65 in January 2029 and the re-employment age to 70, as part of efforts to create age-friendly jobs and diverse workplaces. This adjustment is one year earlier than initially planned. The Tripartite Workgroup on Senior Employment, formed in July 2025, has recommended six strategies accepted by the government to help seniors stay employed and return to work post-retirement.

These measures aim to provide additional support for lower-wage seniors and promote more flexible work options. Although flexi-place and flexi-time arrangements are prevalent, there is a significant shortage of flexi-load options for seniors. The workgroup proposes establishing a new flexi-load program and dedicated office to support seniors in accessing such arrangements.

This program builds on Japan's success in providing tailored support for elderly jobseekers, including a "lifelong active worker support desk" to help them find re-employment opportunities, including flexible work options. The Ministry of Manpower acknowledges that companies traditionally structured around full-time schedules may face challenges in implementing flexi-load options and will require resources to redesign jobs and policies.

A Skills and Workforce Development Agency-led office will work with NTUC and SNEF to assist employers in defraying the costs of developing flexible work arrangements. The government also proposes enhancing tax relief for senior workers who continue working beyond the statutory retirement and re-employment ages, which would increase their take-home pay and encourage them to remain in the workforce.