Myanmar Junta Scraps Retirement Age for Its Leaders Coup leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and his deputy Vice Senior General Soe Win. 1.2k By The Irrawaddy 20 May 2021 The military regime’s Ministry of Defence has scrapped the retirement age of 65 for its leaders: commander-in-chief and his deputy. Days after the military coup in February, the ministry scrapped the age limit for the two, enabling Sen Gen Min Aung Hlaing, who turned 65 in April – which was seen by some observers as a key factor behind the coup – to continue in his post. The Feb. 4 instruction signed by Adjutant General Lieutenant General Myo Zaw Thein scrapped the age limit for the army chief and his deputy. However, it did not set a new age limit, meaning Min Aung Hlaing can remain in his post until he is toppled or he voluntarily steps down.