PEOPLE are not only living longer, they are generally staying healthier. Which explains why the retirement age in many countries is being continually revised upwards. In many countries, the retirement age is well above 60.

According to Stanford University biologist Shripad Tuljapurkar, the age of retirement (in the US) should be raised to 85 by 2050. The argument that older workers are less productive - predicated on the assumption that work necessarily involves physical strength - does not hold water in an increasingly knowledge-based economy.

The retirement age of a civil servant in Malaysia is 56, one of the lowest in Asia. At 56, most people still have much to contribute, particularly in experience and know-how. It is with this in mind, surely, that the prime minister yesterday announced the upward revision of the retirement age of civil servants to 58.

We are glad to note Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's assurance that the extension will not impact adversely on the employment pros-pects of young people. Abdullah also announced other incentives: the pension amount is to be calculated based on a maximum of 30 years of service, instead of the current 25 years and the pension received by the next-of-kin is to remain at 100 per cent flat, instead of depreciating, as at present, by 30 per cent of the total pension after 12-1/2 years from the date of retirement or death of a civil servant.

It is therefore easy to understand why Congress of Unions of Employees in the Public and Civil Service president Omar Osman is all smiles. The 1.2 million-member union, he said, had been fighting for this for the last 15 years.
This is surely another instance of the government listening to the people, in this case, the civil servants. We think it is only right the retirement age be extended, and that, with food prices soaring, pensioners get more money. But while we share the happiness of civil servants, we would like to remind them to reciprocate the generosity of the government by improving their efficiency and effectiveness.

Over the past few years, the government has spent increased allocations on making the lives of civil servants better. This includes last year's pay rise and the doubling of the cost of living allowances.

But, there still remains the complaint - lament even - that civil servants are oh so slow on delivery. And sometimes rude to boot. Now that they have got the goodies, surely it is time to deliver the goods.