Samoa Parliament in session. October 2023. Photo: Parliament of Samoa
A call has been made in the Samoa Parliament to raise the retirement age as a means to address the shortage of teachers and doctors.
A call has been made in the Samoa Parliament to raise the retirement age as a means to address the shortage of teachers and doctors.
Member of Parliament for Alataua Sisifo, Aliimalemanu Alofa Tuuau made this recommendation on Tuesday.
The retirement age in Samoa is currently 55, primarily for those in paid employment.
Those aged 65 are eligible to receive the government pension of SAT200 (NZ$117) per month, regardless of whether they have worked for a wage.
Speaking in Parliament during discussions of the annual report for the Ministry of Justice Courts and Administration, Aliimalemanu noted judges' retirement age was 68 years.
She urged that given the limited number of workers, particularly teachers and doctors, the Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa and government should look into raising the retirement age to 70.
Similar calls were made in 2019 when the Parliament gave the green light to increase the retirement age for judges to 68 years.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) data published in 2020, the mean life expectancy in Samoa is 70.
Opposition leader, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi briefly spoke about the proposal from the former Chief Justice at the time to raise the retirement age for judges given there was a demand for more judges to preside over cases.
He also added the change in the retirement age for judges was due to fewer people opting to become judges because of low wages.
The Standing Orders and Electoral Commission Parliamentary Committee chairman that reviewed the annual reports, Auapaau Aloitafua Mulipola, noted the concerns raised on the retirement age.