Lowering of retirenrent, senior citizen age to 56 sought

EDU PUNAY exemptions, mandatory mem- set the optional rctirement age
'y
A party-list lawmaker is
iushing to lower the optional
etirement and senior citizen-
hip age in the country from
0 to 55 years.
Ako Bicol partylist Rep.
tlfrcdo Garbin Jr. filed House
lill 85, seeking to adjust the
rinimum retirement age in
oth public and private sec-
lrs, to enable retirees to eniov
better quality of life throrigh
reir pension and retirement
enefits at an earlier age.
"VAT (value-added tax)
into the govemmen/s ranks," of decades' worth of labor lower the age of senior
bership in the government's for goverrhnent workers at 50 he pointed out. and will lessen the burden to 55.
health-care system and dis- and the mandatory r€tircment He said the same principle on the family's spending," The bill seeks to aniend RA
counts for medicine, basic age ai 55. applies to the private sector, as Garbin added. 7432, also known as the Spnior
necessities and service will Garbin said the lower re- ihe proposed measure would He cited for instance the Citizens law, which currently
all come earlie4, reducing the tirement age would likewise cr€ate morc employrnent op- police and military services sets the age of senior citizen-
physical toll on our citizens help the bureaucracy, as it portunities for those seeking where the retirement age is 55 ship at 60.
to keep working just to reach hastens the tumover oI gov- employment in the govern- or once they reach 30 years of Garbin said the measure
the retirement age and avail ernment positions to younger ment and a chance to serve service. seeks to give employees the
themselves of the benefits of professionals, making way for the countrv. At present, the retirement necessarv benefits and orivi-
being...senior citizens," the the in-fusion of fresh blood in "This dodes well for the age for private employees is leges at'the age when'most
lawmaker explained. , public services. families of our retirees as 6Q while govemment workers "ailments and other physical
The proposed measure ''Countless cases involving well, as our retirees have have until 65 for mandatory limitations" are experienced
seeks to amend section 13-A public officers emphasize the more time to spend with their rctirement. the most.
oi Republic Act 8291, or the need of a younger workforce loved ones in relative. conr- In conjunction with this The House is set tb tackle
Government Service Insur- in the government, to iniect fort. Our retirees and their proposed measure, Garbin the proposed measure when
ance SystemAct of 1997, wl'nch new perspectives and insight families will enjoy the fruits filed a separate bill seeking to it resumes session next month.

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