THE Government is encouraging senior citizens to be employed beyond retirement age.

It is giving incentives and deferred bonuses to those who remain employable after 62 years old. It will further encourage citizens to work till 65 years old or older if a workforce agency is established to help train them and match their skills with the employers.

Perhaps this agency could also cater to those from age 55 who wish to accept jobs with lower salaries and lesser stress. This will give older workers an option to remain employable and financially independent.

Some senior citizens above 55 do not mind accepting lower salaries if they have a lower financial burden and have more free time to pursue their interests. For those older workers who are still unemployed, the agency could also provide training to upgrade these workers and ultimately find employment for them.

It would be a win-win situation where the unemployed can find employment, and those employed remain so for a longer time. Most importantly, they are able to maintain a work-life balance throughout their golden years with job satisfaction.

Staying employable will also keep their minds active, hence minimising cases of dementia and senility and also alleviating the burden on society.

Tan Keong Boon

This article was first published in The Straits Times on 23 July 2008.