Written Reply to Parliamentary Question on the Re-employment of Retired Firefighters by Mr Teo Chee Hean, Deputy Prime Minister, Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs

Question:

Mr. K Karthikeyan: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs whether he can provide statistics on the current number of firefighters who have been re-employed in different jobs after their early retirement at age 55.

Answer:

1. The retirement age of Home Affairs Uniformed Services (HUS) officers, including SCDF officers, was extended from 50 years to 55 years in October 2013.  This is because many HUS officers are still physically fit in their early 50s and many wish to continue working and contributing to the Home Team.  Beyond the retirement age of 55 years, where there are organisational needs, HUS officers may be offered re-employment, subject to performance, conduct and fitness criteria.

2. From 2012 to 2014, an average of 35 SCDF officers retired each year.  About 80% of the retired officers were re-employed by SCDF.   The officers were generally re-employed to the same jobs so that they can continue to contribute with their experience and expertise.