Major Change in Superannuation from 1st April 2004

Speaking in his Budget Speech on 3rd December, the Minister for Finance announced the following:

"I will be introducing the following measures for new entrants with effect from 1 April 2004, except in those cases where, for legal or technical reasons, a later commencement date is required:

• the minimum pension age will be increased to 65 for most new entrants to the public service;
• this includes new entrant civil servants, teachers and staff in local government, the health services and non-commercial State Sponsored bodies;
• the present compulsory retirement age of 65 will be removed enabling staff to remain longer in work should they wish, subject to suitability and health requirements;
• the minimum pension age will be increased to 65 for members of the Oireachtas and Office Holders elected or appointed on or after 1 April 2004;
• the minimum pension age will be increased to 55 for new entrant Gardaí and Prison Officers and, in the case of new entrant Gardaí, the compulsory retirement age will be increased to age 60, subject to annual health and fitness certification after age 55;
• a minimum pension age of 50 will be introduced for new entrant Defence Forces personnel;
  the current minimum pension age of 55 for Fire-fighters will be retained for new entrants."