This refers to Shyamal Majumdar's column "Succession plan: What's that?" (Human Factor, June 21). The government is toying with the idea of raising the retirement age for central government employees from 60 to 62 years. However, several pulls and pushes are making this decision difficult. The need to retain talent and unemployment are just two. Ironically, most people who matter and are going to be a part of the decision to raise the retirement age are above 65 themselves. If that is the case, then why not consider an alternative solution to problems being posed by retirement age and succession plans? One such option could factor in the following suggestions:
1. Keeping the retirement age across public and private sectors at 60, and making it obligatory to retire from regular employment after that age. This could be even extended to candidates contesting elections;
2. After crossing the retirement age, allowing individuals to continue in positions on a contractual basis, subject to fitness and need;
3. Till the system stabilises - during the transition - continue the current higher-age limits allowed for retirement at higher levels in the judiciary and at top positions in organisations, in both public and private sectors.
M G Warrier Mumbai
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