KUALA LUMPUR: The government should require workers to pass medical examinations before allowing them to work past the retirement age.
Universiti Kebangsaan Malay-sia community health physician, health economics specialist Professor Dr Sharifa Ezat Wan Puteh said many countries, especially developed ones, had retirement ages of up to 70.
She, however, cautioned about the effects of ageing, which could include memory loss and cognitive impairment.
"If Malaysia is to move forward as a developed country, I do agree that the retirement age needs to be increased.
"But not all employees are fit after 55. So they need to go for check-ups, based on their health status.
"For example, if they have health issues, they should go for a check-up every year, while those who are healthy can go for a check-up every three years.
"Those 65 and above can go for a check-up every year."
She said working beyond the age of 60 might soon be needed given Malaysians' longer life expectancy and lack of savings.
"We have to think of the best remuneration and job that suits their physical and mental capacity."
Public health expert Datuk Dr Zainal Ariffin Omar, however, dismissed the idea because many Malaysians suffered from chronic illnesses.
He said the increased retirement age would also affect job opportunities for the younger generation and affect the economy and people's social wellbeing.
"Our life expectancy has increased.
"But many people suffer from chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular, diabetes, kidney and other impairments that will reduce their physical and mental capabilities.
"So the increase or removal of the retirement age should not be generalised.
"It should be either as an option or after an evaluation of employees' physical and mental health."
Malaysian Society of Geriatric Medicine president Professor Tan Maw Pin said it was an ageist presumption that people's physical and mental abilities declined as they aged, thus they should not be linked.
"Older people have a wealth of experience and wisdom and have had a lifetime to work on their ability to cope with many situations. So to say that they are mentally weak just because they are old is unfair.
"Physical strength, on the other hand, wanes with illness and injury, not age," she said, adding that some older people remained free of illness and injury.
Many organisations, especially in academia, had lost out so much by asking people to leave at 60, she said.
This also affected people as they would deteriorate quickly given that they missed social contact and do not have much savings, she added.
"We should consider individualised retirement plans informed by artificial intelligence, for instance, with regard to estimated lifespan and retirement savings.
"Healthcare, social care and labour sectors should be linked to determine the optimal time people should stop working.
"People's preference should also be taken into account."
She said the best job for the elderly was the one that maximised their skills and abilities, ideally a job that they had been doing before retirement.
"If their physical ability starts to wane, they should move into less physically demanding roles and consider part-time work."
She said cognitive abilities did not usually become an issue until beyond 75.
