KUALA LUMPUR (July 31): Malaysia will review the mandatory retirement age as part of its efforts to prepare for the country's transition into an ageing nation.

According to the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) document, the plan outlines a strategy of reviewing the Minimum Retirement Age Act 2012 to introduce new laws on re-employment "after reaching the minimum retirement age" and boost the participation of older workers in the labour market.

"The proposal to raise the mandatory retirement age for civil servants according to their service scheme will be studied in order to enable a revision of the Pensions Act 1980 to be implemented,” the report added.

When tabling the 13MP in Parliament on Thursday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the 13MP will prioritise the development of a more efficient and sustainable long-term care (LTC) service ecosystem. This includes expanding access to quality LTC services that are both affordable and compassionate.

The government will also introduce legislation to ensure uniformity in care-related policies and regulations, while a dedicated regulatory body will be established to comprehensively oversee the care ecosystem.

Malaysia has officially been recognised as an ageing nation since 2021 and is projected to become an aged nation as early as 2043.

Anwar said the transition would require greater financial commitment to ensuring no one is left behind.

The government will step up preparations by strengthening key sectors, including economic and fiscal management, talent development, education, social protection, and healthcare — particularly LTC services.

A more inclusive social protection system will also be introduced, alongside the expansion of support programmes and services tailored to the needs of the elderly.

These measures are part of broader efforts to ensure Malaysia is holistically prepared for the demographic shift, which is expected to have wide-ranging implications across sectors, the 13MP report said.

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