Retirement & Resignation
The complete framework for leaving the Gambian civil service — statutory retirement at 60, voluntary retirement from age 45, retirement on marriage, resignation procedures, the one-month notice requirement, pension and gratuity calculations, Certificate of Service, and the restrictions on resignation during disciplinary proceedings.
General Orders Chapter 2 Sections III and IV govern resignation and retirement comprehensively. Resignation (GO 02301): officers may resign by giving one month's written notice or paying one month's salary in lieu. However, no resignation shall be made or accepted without PSC approval while the officer is suspended, interdicted, subject to disciplinary proceedings, or under investigation. Retirement: the PS-PMO provides Heads of Departments with retirement lists annually on December 1 (GO 02401). Officers must notify intention 12 months in advance. Heads of Departments prepare pension forms; the Directorate of National Treasury calculates, the Auditor General certifies, and the Pensions Authority authorises payment (GO 02402). The Head may recommend a reduced pension with documented reasons. Statutory retirement age is 60 years (GO 02403). Voluntary retirement is available from age 45 with 6 months' notice or 6 months' salary in lieu. Female officers may retire on marriage with one month's notice. The Pensions Authority may require an officer to retire after age 45 with 6 months' written notice (GO 02404). All leave must be taken before retirement — untaken leave is forfeited (GO 02405). Officers must be informed of the reduced pension/gratuity election option before retirement (GO 02406). Heads of Departments may not provide written references, but officers may quote them as referees (GO 02407). A Certificate of Service on the prescribed form is issued to all retiring officers on permanent/pensionable or contract terms (GO 02408).
Section 7.8 of the Code of Conduct establishes compulsory retirement as one of the disciplinary penalties: a permanent civil servant aged 50 or above with unsatisfactory work performance may be suggested for voluntary retirement under the Pensions Act 1950 or compulsorily retired by Government. The officer has 14 days to appeal, and the Permanent Secretary must submit representations to the PSC for consideration before proceeding. This creates a pathway between the performance management system and retirement — sustained poor performance can lead to involuntary separation.
Chapter 12 of the PPM provides operational detail on retirement and resignation procedures. Officers must retire statutorily at age 60, and HR sections must maintain records of officers nearing retirement. Officers may continue beyond 60 on contract basis if Government considers it in the public interest. Voluntary retirement is available after age 45 with 6 months' notice, or after age 50 with one month's notice. Married female officers can retire at any time with one month's notice, eligible for gratuity after 5 years and pension after 10 years of service. Government may require retirement at age 45 in the public interest, subject to Pensions Authority approval. Resignation requires one month's notice; where the officer was appointed by the PSC, the Commission must accept the resignation before it takes effect. Officers who are suspended or interdicted cannot resign.