The retirement age has been set at 55 years according to the new State Services Decree which was published last night.

President, Ratu Josefa Iloilo has decreed this and it is now in effect.

According to the decree, the retirement age off 55 years shall extend to the civil service, the Police Force and the Prison Service. It says that any person employed in the civil service, Fiji Police and Fiji Prisons, who is already over 55 years, shall retire on the 30th of this month.

However the decree also states that nothing in the section prevents, upon retirement, the continued employment of a person on a fixed term contractual employment, if his or her services are required in the government.

The Public Service Appeal Board established under the Public Service Amendment Act 1998 and the Public Service Act is abolished under the State Services Decree.

All members of the Appeal Board shall cease to be members, from the commencement of the decree dated 14th April, 2009.

All appeals pending before the board but not yet determined, including all hearings pending, as well appeals pending for decision, shall immediately terminate upon the commencement of the decree.