Increasing retirement age of uniformed personnel means savings —Recto

Increasing the retirement age of the country's uniformed personnel could help in easing the government's expenses on their retirement benefits, Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto said on Monday.

"If we want it a little cheaper yet, then we can raise also the retirement from 55 o 56, puwede nating gawin... kung recommendation ng uniformed personnel 'yan, gawin nating 60, malaki din ang savings ng gobyerno diyan," Recto said during a joint committee hearing on measures to create a mechanism for the pensions of military and uniformed personnel.

"Why? At 55 assuming on the average we live to 75, that's 20 years na babayaran ng gobyerno 'yan. At 60, 15 years na lang babayaran ng gobyerno 'yan kung average hanggang 75 ang buhay," he added.

Recto also said a retirement plan with the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) could be established for the personnel's benefits.

Senator Panfilo Lacson said the compulsory retirement age would be an important factor in the continuity and viability of the pension fund of the personnel.

Meanwhile, Senator Franklin Drilon said the issue should be studied carefully, noting that all the fiscal and non-fiscal matters must be considered.

"Bababa 'yung ating liability pag naitaas natin 'yung ating retirement. But it is not as simple as that, you know because there may be officers in the Armed Forces who would look forward to retirement at 56 so if you increase it to 62, then we have to look at the other side," Drilon said.

Senator Richard Gordon earlier said he wants to have a fixed three-year term for high-ranking military officials, including the Chief of Staff, with the aim to stop the 'revolving door' policy in the AFP leadership that is susceptible to personal and political patronage.

Under Senate Bill No. 1785, the senator is also proposing the compulsory retirement age for senior commissioned officers to 65.—LDF, GMA News