Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what support his Department provides to staff in his Department (a) in their transition to retirement and (b) to (i) maintain and (ii) increase the physical and mental wellbeing staff planning for retirement.

In their transition to retirement staff are invited to attend a Civil Service pre-retirement course focusing on many topics including wellbeing, activities, pension and other finances. They also have access to an Employee Assistance Programme free of charge that can provide information and support relating to retirement including preparation, change, relationships, staying active, benefit entitlement and wills. They may also be able to take partial retirement in order to reduce their working hours and ease them into retirement.

HM Treasury encourages staff throughout their careers to maintain good physical and mental wellbeing and work life balance. Much information, support and activities are available to them including:

• Mental health awareness training;
• Various Networks including a Mental Wellbeing Network and an Age Network that champions older workers;
• Occupational Health (providing information on healthy lifestyle and eating);
• On-site gym and activity classes;
• Sports and Social Club offering a wide variety of sport activities that can be accessed following retirement.

HM Treasury also encourages volunteering that can continue into retirement, which can give those approaching retirement a sense of purpose going forward.