The Zimbabwean government has raised the retirement age for local authority workers from 60 to 70 years. The new rule gives older workers more time to serve, but also changes when they can take early retirement.
The Zimbabwean government has made a big change to when local authority workers can retire. In a new announcement, the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works said workers can now retire at 70 years old instead of the previous age of 60.
The change was made official through a circular signed by Minister Daniel Garwe on April 7, 2025, following Statutory Instrument 197 of 2024.
This change means experienced government workers can stay longer and continue contributing their skills. However, it also means younger workers may need to wait longer for job openings. The government says this move will help local authorities manage their workforce better, especially with a shortage of skilled staff.