In a landmark decision, the International Civil Service Commission yesterday agreed that UN and agency staff be able to choose to retire at 65, with implementation of this change by 1 January 2017. 

The decision, which is expected to be validated by the General Assembly this fall, is in line with the position of Ban Ki-moon and many heads of agencies, and allows international organizations to harmonize their practices. 

The decision recognizes that many staff still have much to contribute at 60 or 62 and provides a more transparent alternative to the situation in many organizations where significant numbers of staff are already retained beyond 62 or rehired.

Certain organizations had queried whether retirement at 65 would prevent rejuvenation, good performance and gender balance.

However, staff unions showed that with the average UN entry age at 41, a new and improved performance management system and a lack of significant interest in ensuring gender balance at recruitment, changing the retirement age would have little impact.

Having spoken with certain organizations, we believe that the policy change, under consideration since 2009, will be relatively simple to implement, and look forward to working with organization management teams on taking this forward.

We will keep you updated on developments. The intervention of our staff federation, CCISUA, is attached.