65 Is the New 60: SJ Echo Poll Finds Slim Majority Favour Raising Retirement Age

When the Human Resources Ministry signalled it may increase Malaysia’s retirement age from 60 to 65, we asked Subang Jaya residents how they felt. The online poll, run 16–20June, delivered a narrow majority in favour of extending. The results were 51 % in favour, 27 % opposed and 22 % unsure. A total of 123 netizens took the poll.

Older Workers Prefer Increasing Retirement Age to 65

Support peaks at 63 % among those aged 55–65, the group that stands to gain first. Their reasons centre on longer life spans, rising bills and shrinking EPF balances. “My savings run out at 62, not 82,” a 59-year-old remarked.

Mid-Career Caution

In the 35–55 bracket, only one in three voters welcomes the increase in retirement age. Many fear reduced promotion opportunities. A 42-year-old manager working in Subang Jaya put it bluntly: “The sluggish economy has reduced new opportunities in other organizations for me. Delaying the retirement of my superiors, will mean delaying my promotion.”

What Retirees Think

Every respondent over 70 and retired rejected the idea, arguing that policy must consider quality of life. Their average retirement age was 55.6, reflecting the earlier national policy of retiring at 55.

Ideal Age Settles Around 65

Asked for the “right” age to retire, the sample produced an overall mean of 64.5 years. Supporters pitched 67.1 on average, fence-sitters 63.3 and opponents an even 60. Nine optimistic voters suggested 70-plus as the ideal retirement age.

Flexibility Could Bridge the Gap

Undecided respondents consistently proposed a retirement window (60-65) rather than a single cut-off. Such flexibility, they felt, would reduce the likelihood older Malaysians are forced out before they are ready or trapping them in jobs they have outgrown.

This Survey

We blasted the survey through residents’ groups, WhatsApp groups and Facebook. Respondents are essentially SJ Echo readers, engaged locals, not a perfect cross-section, but their views track the chatter we hear across Subang Jaya.