Voluntary early retirement eyed

PUBLISHED : 8 Jul 2026 at 04:30

The government is considering widening eligibility for a voluntary early retirement scheme for civil servants, with younger officials potentially included as part of efforts to reduce personnel costs and modernise the bureaucracy.

Deputy Prime Minister Pakorn Nilprapunt said the proposal is being studied by the Office of the Civil Service Commission (OCSC) and forms part of the government's policy to address rising recurrent expenditure, which has reduced the amount of funding available for investment and public assistance programmes.

He said the government aims to reduce the size of the civil service through a voluntary programme rather than compulsory cuts. The scheme is expected to be introduced in fiscal 2027 if approved.

Existing early retirement programmes generally apply to officials aged 55 and above or those with at least two years remaining before their mandatory retirement date. However, Mr Pakorn said policymakers are examining whether eligibility should be broadened to include younger officials.

He noted that employees in their 40s may have greater opportunities to reskill and transition into new careers than older workers, although no specific age threshold has been decided.

"There will be no compulsory measures," he said, adding that incentives, upskilling and reskilling programmes would be used to encourage participation.

Mr Pakorn said the initiative is intended not only to reduce long-term personnel costs but also to align the civil service with technological changes that are transforming government operations.

He said digital technology is increasingly capable of handling routine administrative work, reducing the need for some traditional positions. Typists and certain clerical roles were cited as examples of jobs that may become less necessary as government agencies adopt modern systems.

The changes will be introduced gradually since agencies differ in their technological readiness, he said.

The review will initially cover civilian officials and could later be extended to local administrations, public organisations, the military and police.

Mr Pakorn said the government is also studying the financial implications of the programme, including pension obligations. The OCSC is working with the Comptroller General's Department, the Government Pension Fund and the Office of Insurance Commission on the details.

At the same time, the government is examining reforms to civil servants' healthcare benefits, including the possible introduction of a health insurance system for new recruits to replace the existing medical welfare scheme.

The discussion comes amid growing concern over public-sector personnel costs. Bhumjaithai Party MP Chada Thaised told a parliamentary budget committee on Monday that spending on salaries, healthcare benefits and pensions exceeds one trillion baht a year.