Mandatory age of separation
The mandatory
age of separation (MAS) shall be the last day of the month in which the staff member reaches 65, however staff members who fulfil the criteria below may retire at an earlier date.
10 Staff members shall retire on the last day of the month in which they reach their normal retirement age (NRA) as described below:
- Staff members who became participants in the UNJSPF before 1 January 1990 shall retire on the last day of the month in which they reach the age of 60.
- Staff members who became participants in the UNJSPF from 1 January 1990 to 31 December 2013 inclusive shall retire on the last day of the month in which they reach the age of 62.
- Staff members who became participants in the UNFSPF on or after 1 January 2014 shall retire on the last day of the month in which they reach the age of 65.
20 In cases where staff members have a NRA of 60 or 62 but the appointment with the Organization ends at the MAS of 65, they may resign between their NRA (60/62)
and MAS (65), in accordance with Staff Rule 1020.1 by giving three months’ written notice, in order to take normal retirement. This is considered by the UNJSPF as a normal retirement and therefore is not subject to reduction.
30 Under Staff Rule 1020 the Director-General may extend staff member’s appointments beyond the age of retirement, and the date of retirement is then the end of the last approved extension. In all cases, requests for extensions must be submitted to the Director-General through the Director, HRT and requests will not be granted for more than one year at a time. For those who would normally retire at the age of 60 and 62, extensions shall not be granted beyond the staff member's 65th birthday and for those who would normally retire at the age of 65, extensions shall not be granted beyond the staff member's 68th birthday.
Participation start date in the UNJSPF and retirement ages
40 A staff member’s entry on duty date in the employing organization and participation start date in the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund (UNJSPF) are not necessarily the same. The normal retirement age (i.e., 60, 62 or 65) is defined as set out below by the commencement or recommencement date of participation in the UNJSPF under Article 21 of its regulations. That is the date on which a staff member began their contributory service in the UNJSPF as a participant, i.e. (i) upon commencing employment under an appointment for six months or longer, or upon accepting such an appointment while in employment, or (ii) upon completing, six months of service without an interruption of more than thirty days, in the same or more than one member organization, whichever is earlier, provided that participation is not expressly excluded by the terms of the staff member’s appointment.
50 Validation and/or restoration of prior non-contributory service would increase the duration of contributory service but will not change the normal retirement age of the staff member.
60 Staff members are advised to consult III.7.2 Pension fund for more information on the conditions related to the benefit options of the UNJSPF upon separation from service as detailed below, that is either (i) normal retirement, (ii) early retirement (iii) deferred retirement, or (iv) withdrawal settlement, each of which might be subject to deferment of choice or payment.
Early Retirement
70 Staff members whose years of service and age qualify them for receipt upon separation of an early retirement benefit under the UNJSPF regulations may give notice of their intention to resign in order to opt for early retirement before the normal retirement age, in accordance with Staff Rule 1020.2 Resignation is subject to the notice periods and conditions stated in Staff Rule
1010.
Early Retirement Benefit
80 Staff members whose participation in the UNJSPF commenced or recommenced prior to 1 January 2014, shall be eligible for the receipt of an early retirement benefit provided that:
a) their age on separation is at least 55 years;
b) their contributory service in the UNSJPF is five years or longer; and
c) their age on separation is less than the NRA of 60 or 62 years.
90 Staff members who became participants in the UNJSPF on or after 1 January 2014, shall be eligible for the receipt of an early retirement benefit provided that:
a) their age on separation is at least 58 years (for those whose participation in the UNJSPF commenced or recommenced on or after 1 January 2014);
b) their contributory service in the UNJSPF is five years or longer; and
c) their age on separation is less than the NRA of 65 years.
100 Staff members who are aged between Early Retirement Age (ERA) 55/58 and NRA 60/62/65 may opt instead for deferred retirement, withdrawal settlement, or deferment of choice or payment as indicated below.
110 An early retirement benefit is always subject to a reduction compared to the normal retirement benefit.
120 The UNJSPF early retirement benefit payment is due on the day following the separation from service.
130 Summary table: normal retirement age (NRA), early retirement age (ERA), mandatory age of separation (MAS)
Date you joined UNJSPF
| Normal retirement age (the age at which you can exercise your right to retire without reduction) | Early retirement age (the earliest age at which you can leave for early retirement with reduction)* | Mandatory age of separation (the age at which you can no longer be retained in active service) |
On or before 31 December 1989
| 60 | 55 | 65 |
| Between 01 January 1990 and 31 December 2013 | 62 | 55 | 65 |
| On or after 01 Jan 2014 | 65 | 58 | 65
|
* please refer to the provisions below for the reduction in case of deferred retirement
140 Staff members may opt for deferred retirement if:
a) their contributory service in the UNSJPF is five years or longer; and
b) their age upon separation is less than their NRA of 60, 62 or 65 years, as appropriate.
150 Unlike early retirement, the deferred retirement benefit is not paid on the day following the separation from service but can start:
- any time between ERA and NRA, with reduction; or
- at NRA without reduction.
160 Staff members may opt for a withdrawal settlement except if they have reached five years of contributory service and their NRA.
170 Staff members may defer their choice or payment for a maximum of 3 years, generally with an expectation to re-enter the UNJSPF within three years and to continue the same participation,
180 Supervisors will receive an alert electronically at least 6 months in advance of the date when a staff member is due to retire. After the separation action is initiated, the HR Administrator, GSC provides the retiring staff member with all information concerning retirement.
190 Nearer the date of retirement, the Office of the Director General (HQ)/Regional Director (RO) prepares a letter in consultation with the supervisor conveying the Organization's appreciation and good wishes.
