Howlin to unveil new pension terms for senior civil servants

The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Brendan Howlin is due to announce new terms governing pensions and severance for top level civil servants today.

Secretaries General currently have the option of retiring early with an immediate pension, added years, and severance pay. Those provisions are now being phased out.

The revised terms include putting a stop to any pension payments before the minimum pensionable age, preventing any years being added on, and abolishing severance payments in most cases.

A candidate could also be offered an alternative post if he or she has not reached 40 years service or the minimum pensionable age.

The new terms will apply to any Secretaries General appointed from now on. It is hoped the plan will result in substantial savings for the taxpayer.