Brussels, 17.10.2002
Admin/B/LL D(2002)

In my message of 30 September 2002 I informed you that the Council had approved the proposal for a 'termination of service' regulation. The Commission has now (on 16 October 2002) adopted the detailed rules for implementing this procedure and, in particular, decided to proceed in three 'rounds' (2002/2003/2004) covering 200 officials each.

As already announced in my previous message, full information on the early retirement scheme may be found on IntraComm at http://www.cc.cec/guide/social_b/degagement-index-en.htm. This site explains:

• what termination of service involves and the conditions governing it;
• how and by reference to what criteria applicants will be selected (new);
• the financial impact of termination of service (calculator);
• how to apply (new); and
• answers the most frequently asked questions (new).

This notice constitutes the invitation to apply for the 2002 round. To be eligible for this round, officials must be at least 55 years old on 31 December 2002 and have completed at least 15 years of service.

The ADMINFO help desk (tel. 66600, e-mail Adminfo@cec.eu.int) will reply to any questions relating to the early retirement scheme, with the exception of those concerning the priority that may be assigned to a specific application or the likelihood that an application will be successful. The colleagues concerned should instead address such questions to the human resources manager of their DG/Service who will, however, only be able to make an initial appraisal which is not binding. Please do not call any departments of DG ADMIN other than ADMINFO about the scheme as they will not be in a position to answer your questions directly.

ADMINFO also holds paper copies of the blank application form to be made available to colleagues who on grounds of justified absence from the service (leave, sick leave, missions etc.) or of technical impossibility of accessing IntraComm (which is the case for certain delegations) will not be able to fill in the electronic application form. Only these colleagues will be exempt from the obligation to register on-line; they need, however, to send in their application on the signed paper copy to the human resources manager within the deadline (date of postmark).

As regards the remainder of the procedure, the planned timetable (dates are tentative) is as follows:

• 31 October 2002: deadline for receipt of applications;
• 12 November 2002: each DG or department sends to DG ADMIN its list of eligible applicants, grouped by category and, within the categories, in three groups depending on whether the interest of the service in the measure being applied to the official concerned is considered to be high, low or non-existent;
• end of November 2002: establishment by DG ADMIN of a single draft list not exceeding 200 candidates, and of a draft reserve list of 20 candidates;
• beginning of December 2002: the Joint Committee (COPAR) gives its opinion on the draft list;
• end of December 2002/beginning of January 2003: the Commission approves the list; period of 10 working days for selected candidates to withdraw their application if they so wish; publication of the final list;
• February 2003 to June 2003: implementation of the individual measures terminating service; determination of departure dates depending on the needs of the departments, the candidates’ interest and the ability of the managing department to deal with the ensuing workload;
• early 2003: launch of the second exercise for which all officials will be eligible who will be at least 55 years old and have completed at least 15 years of service on 31 December 2003.

Horst Reichenbach