TNAG-0494-FCO40-559-Establishment-of-Anti-Corruption-Commission-in-Hong-Kong-1974 — Page 80

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PENSIONS AND RETIREMENT (Officers on probation only)

(i) Retiring benefits are granted in accordance with the provisions of the

Hong Kong Pensions legislation. Pension is earned at the rate of 1/600th of pensionable emoluments for each complete month of pensionable service, subject to a maximum rate of two-thirds of the highest pensionable emoluments drawn at any time during service. For the purpose of pension computation, the actual pensionable emoluments enjoyed at the date of retirement are taken un- less a change of office occurs within the period of three years prior to retire- ment when the pensionable emoluments fall to be averaged over that period. Pension is payable only consequent upon confirmation in appointment, the completion of ten years continuous public service and retirement in approved circumstances, such as age or ill-health grounds. Pension may be converted, at the officer's option exercisable on or before the date of retirement, into a reduced pension of 75%, 80%, 85% 90% or 95% of the full pension together with a gratuity of 124 times the amount of annual reduction.

(ii)

(iii)

An officer who retires and is in every respect qualified for pension save for the fact that he has not completed ten years qualifying service, is eligible for a gratuity only of an amount equal to five times the annual pension for which he would have been eligible had there been no qualifying period for the award of a pension. Provisions also exist for the award of injury and dependants pensions in respect of officers injured or killed on duty and death gratuities in respect of confirmed officers dying in the service. Marriage gratuities may also be paid to confirmed female officers with not less than five years continuous service at the date of retirement. (see also section 23

The normal age of retirement is 55 years and an officer is allowed to serve after attaining that age only in special circumstances.

An officer may however at present retire, subject to the prior approval of the Governor and the Secretary of State, between the age of 45 and 50 on the following grounds:-

(a) grounds of ill-health not sufficient to warrant invaliding, on production of such evidence by way of medical report or otherwise as may be required by the Governor;

(b) adequate compassionate or personal grounds acceptable to the Governor,

provided the public interest is not affected in any unduly adverse manner.

The retirement of officers who are aged 50 years or more but are under the age of 55 will normally be allowed unless the Governor considers that it would not be in the public interest to allow the officer to retire.

(Note: The rules regarding retirement between 45 and 55 are subject to

change from time to time.)

An officer may be called upon to retire, with the approval of the Secretary of State, on or after attaining the age of 45 years.

WIDOWS AND ORPHANS PENSION CONTRIBUTIONS

Every male officer under the age of 49 appointed on probation is required to contribute to the Hong Kong Widows and Orphans Pension Scheme, with effect from the date of his appointment, at one of the following rates:-

(i) 4% of his salary per month; or

(ii) $125 p.m. if (i) should exceed $125 p.m., and if he so elects.

A male officer appointed on agreement for a period of 22 years or more is required to contribute at the same rate, unless he informs the Accountant General in writing within 3 months of the date of assumption of duty (i.e. the date of arrival in Hong Kong) that he does not desire to contribute.