Garda mandatory retirement age raised from 60 to 62

Gardai will now have the option to postpone their retirement until the age of 62, with effect from today.

The increased retirement age will be available for those who wish to avail of it, and is one of a number of government measures to assist with the recruitment and retention of Garda members.

Taoiseach Simon Harris and Minister for Justice Helen McEntee signed the relevant regulations today (Tuesday, September 3).

The increase in the mandatory retirement age is provided for by the Courts, Civil Law, Criminal Law and Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2024, which was led by Minister McEntee.

This Act also provided for the similar increase in the mandatory retirement age of permanent members of the Defence Forces, firefighters and prison officers, which came into effect in August.

On signing the measures, Taoiseach Simon Harris said, “From today, members of An Garda Síochána no longer have to retire at 60, a change which will allow gardaí work longer, something that many have campaigned for.

“There will be many benefits to this move, including retaining more gardaí in the force, using their vital experience to train new recruits and importantly, giving gardaí the option to work longer if they want to.

“This change coupled with many significant measures, including increasing the age entry from 35 to 50 and record investment in An Garda Síochána is another example of how this Government will continue to support gardaí across the country who are doing tremendous work in protecting our communities.”

Minister McEntee welcomed the increase as a hugely positive development for An Garda Síochána as an organisation and for individual members.

She said, “People are living longer and working longer in their chosen career across all sectors, and it is important that members of An Garda Síochána can continue to work to 62 if they wish to do so.

“There is a real appetite for this in An Garda Síochána. Since 2020 the Department of Justice has processed almost 180 requests for retirement extensions, and the change we are now making was requested by both the Garda Commissioner and the Garda associations.”

Both Minister McEntee and the Garda Commissioner have said that the target is to grow the Garda workforce to 15,000 members and beyond.

Minister McEntee added: “I have repeatedly said that no stone would be left unturned when it came to Garda recruitment and all measures would be considered.

“We have invested unprecedented funds into An Garda Síochána, which has allowed for the significant increase in the Garda training allowance to €305 per week.

“We have also increased the entry age from 35 to 50, which resulted in a further increase in the number of applicants in the most recent Garda recruitment campaign.

“Garda recruitment is continuing apace and we are also seeing greater flexibility in facilitating some Gardaí who left the organisation for personal reasons returning to continue their career in An Garda Síochána.

“Being a Garda is undoubtedly a challenging career, but Gardaí make an immense contribution to our communities across the country and this Government is committed to supporting them in doing so.”

Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform Paschal Donohoe facilitated the increase to the retirement age with amendments to the relevant pension legislation.

He said: “Gardaí, along with prison officers, firefighters and Defence Forces personnel, can now work for longer, if they so choose.

“This important measure, facilitated by my Department, reaffirms the government's policy to encourage and support longer and fuller working lives.”