South Africa confirms no change to retirement age after contrary reports
South Africa has not changed its retirement age, despite false claims spreading widely on social media.
Recent reports from some local websites had said that the country would set a national retirement age of 65 for everyone from 30 May 2025, but this has been firmly denied by the government.
National Treasury said there is no law or plan to introduce a standard retirement age for all citizens.
In South Africa, the retirement age depends on agreements between employers and employees, or on the rules of a specific pension fund.
“There is no standard retirement age that is set by government in South Africa,” Treasury said in a statement quoted by Daily Maverick. It also confirmed that there are no changes to the old age grant, which can still be accessed from age 60.
The rumour appears to have started with a fake document shared online which falsely claimed that government employees would have to retire at 70, but no official law or announcement supports this.
Labour lawyer Avi Niselow said relying on misinformation can be risky. He warned that forcing someone to retire without a clear agreement in their contract could be considered unfair dismissal.
“If it’s not contractually agreed, the employer is exposed,” he said. He also warned that employees who act on these false claims could suffer long-term financial damage.
South Africa’s labour laws remain unchanged. In the public sector, the normal retirement age is still 60, with early retirement possible from 55.
In the private sector, it depends on what is written in employment contracts or pension fund policies.
