The Cabinet Office has confirmed the voluntary early retirement programme has been reintroduced for eligible persons in the public service.

A Government spokeswoman reported that Head of the Civil Service, Dr Derrick Binns, had told civil servants last Thursday and encouraged those who qualify to consider the opportunity.

“The early retirement scheme applies to Government employees between ages 55 and 64 years old,” the spokeswoman said,

“For this upcoming voluntary early retirement initiative, individuals must have attained the age of 55 by September 30, 2015, or must be members of the Police, Corrections or Fire Services who are entitled to receive a pension upon retirement from the public service on the grounds of age or years of service on September 30, 2015.”

The Cabinet Office introduced the voluntary early retirement scheme as a cost-saving measure, and so far the Government has realised a $6.2 million in savings in salaries.