The Public Service Commission (PSC) has set new retirement ages for academic and research staff working in public universities and research institutions, introducing a structured framework where staff will now retire between 60 and 75 years depending on their rank, employment terms, and disability status.
In a circular sent to Cabinet Secretaries, Principal Secretaries, university councils, vice chancellors, state corporations, the Registrar of the Judiciary, and the Auditor-General, PSC Chief Executive Officer Paul Famba said the changes are meant to bring consistency across the public service and ensure institutions follow the same retirement rules.
“The Constitution places the mantle of human resource management in the Public Service on the Public Service Commission. This includes ensuring the public service is efficient and effective, reviewing and making recommendations to the national government on conditions of service and qualifications for public officers,” Famba said.
The directive explains that the retirement framework is anchored in Section 70(1)(c) of the Public Service Commission Regulations, 2020. The provision states that, subject to the Constitution, other written laws, or government policy, the Commission has the mandate to determine the mandatory retirement age for lecturers and research scientists serving in public universities and research institutions after consultation with the institutions.
Under the new rules, professors and research professors employed on permanent and pensionable terms will retire at the age of 70 years. Those living with a disability will be allowed to serve until the age of 75 years.
Associate professors, associate research professors, senior lecturers, and senior research fellows who are also on permanent and pensionable terms will retire at 65 years. Those registered as persons with disabilities will retire at 70 years.
Lecturers, research fellows, assistant lecturers, tutorial fellows, and junior research fellows will retire at 60 years regardless of whether they are on permanent, pensionable, or contract terms. For staff in these categories who are living with disabilities, the retirement age will be 65 years.
The circular also outlines the retirement age for research scientists working in research institutions. Those holding a PhD will retire at 65 years, with the age extended to 70 years for those living with disabilities.
Research scientists with a master’s degree and relevant publications will also retire at 65 years, while persons with disabilities in this category will retire at 70 years.
For non-teaching staff working in these institutions, the retirement age remains at 60 years. However, those registered as persons with disabilities will retire at 65 years as provided under Regulation 70(i)(b) of the Public Service Commission Regulations.
Famba said the new circular takes effect immediately and replaces an earlier directive issued on March 20, 2009 under reference OP.CAB.2/7A, as well as any other policy guidelines that have been guiding retirement in public institutions.
He directed all government offices and institutions addressed in the memo to ensure the new retirement rules are followed.
“The mandatory retirement age in the public service shall be determined by the Commission for lecturers and research scientists serving in public universities, research institutions, or equivalent institutions, in consultation with these institutions.”