The World Health Organization (WHO) is considering offering early retirement to some of its employees as part of a plan to reduce costs following U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw. So far, it is not confirmed whether the WHO will resort to layoffs if there are not enough employees willing to leave early.
As of January 31, the United States owed the WHO $133 million in assessed contributions. Those international employees who accept early retirement will be entitled to compensation for the cost of returning to their home countries. While this could help reduce the organization's expenses, it would also mean the departure of some of its more experienced employees.
International WHO staff aged 55 or older before June have received an email offer to opt for early retirement, which includes four months' salary. The decision to accept this offer is voluntary, and those employees who accept it will leave the agency before July 15.
The United States used to be a major contributor to the WHO, providing $1.3 billion between 2022 and 2023 to support the agency's work in containing various diseases. The U.S. withdrawal has left the WHO in a difficult financial situation, leading to measures such as a hiring freeze, suspension of investments, and reduction of non-essential travel.
The current retirement age at the WHO is 65, but those hired before 2014 may retire at 62, and those employed before 1990 may do so at 60. According to the terms of the early retirement offer, staff who accept the payment must comply with a three-month notice period and will be paid up to 45 days of unused annual leave.
