Complementing a Higher Retirement Age - on Training, Anti-Ageism & Senior-Friendly Jobs

In a New Straits Times feature (22 May 2025), our Research Director Abel Benjamin Lim shared that any move to raise Malaysia’s retirement age must go hand-in-hand with structured upskilling, anti-ageism safeguards, and better pre-retirement planning. He stressed that older Malaysians should be able to work by choice and thrive - rather than simply prolong their careers out of necessity.

Drawing on international examples such as career transition programmes in Singapore and Japan, Abel called for practical pathways to “second careers” that align with evolving interests and abilities. He also highlighted the importance of addressing non-financial retirement risks like social isolation and boredom through purposeful work, mentoring, and community engagement. In addition, he advocated for stronger financial literacy and income diversification so that retirement comes with options, not anxiety.

The article also featured insights from Dr Mohamad Idham Md Razak of Universiti Teknologi MARA, who noted that raising the retirement age can help strengthen public finances. However, he emphasised that such a move should be complemented by training for older workers, anti-age-discrimination laws, youth hiring incentives, and phased retirement options to ensure balanced opportunities across generations.

Read the full coverage in the New Straits Times.