About 10,000 federal public servants apply for early retirement program

About 10,000 federal public servants have applied for the federal government's early retirement program, introduced as part of its plan to reduce the size of the public service.

According to the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat, 10,006 applications had been received as of Tuesday, following last week's application deadline. The program was offered to eligible employees after the government began sending information packages to about 68,000 public servants in December.

Employees aged 50 and older with at least 10 years of federal employment and a minimum of two years of pensionable service were eligible to apply. Those approved can retire immediately with a pension based on their years of service without facing the usual early retirement penalty.

Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat spokesperson Rola Salem said the decision to retire is a personal one and the government did not set a specific target for the number of employees expected to leave through the program. Treasury Board President Shafqat Ali's office said more than 6,855 applicants have already been confirmed as eligible, with additional applications continuing to be reviewed.