"Time for you to retire," MPs told as a wake up call to ageism

31/07/2008

In a move nothing short of genius, The Employers Forum on Age (EFA) has highlighted the UK’s outdated retirement rules by hitting MPs where it hurt: sending out a spoof letter giving notice of retirement to all 78 MPs who are 65 and over.

 

The reaction was mixed - from fear and palpitations to total support to end the default retirement age.

The letter read: "Parliament has decided to adopt the standard UK employment policy of a normal retirement age of 65 for all employees. According to our records, you have reached the age of 65 and this letter provides you with formal notification that we intend to retire you on 2nd March 2009.

"If you wish to request to continue working you must do so, in writing, no earlier than six months, and no later than three months before your retirement date on 2nd March 2009. I must advise you that it is our policy to refuse these requests.

"We will contact you again shortly to discuss your retirement plans."

The newsletter enclosed with it then read: "Winston Churchill announced the end of World War Two at 70, and Nelson Mandela was South Africa’s first black President at 77. Fortunately for them, and the many others they helped, they weren’t forced to retire at 65."  Point made.

Unlike most of the population, MPs are not required to retire at 65, and there is no upper age limit on who can stand for election. Nor can they be forcibly retired at a specific age, as the House of Commons does not determine their employment status. No matter how old they are, their legitimacy as an MP is determined solely by voters, and constitutionally no-one can remove from power an MP who has been elected. There is no impeachment process for MPs. Peerage, standing down or death are therefore the only means of an MP ‘retiring’ from their position.

So what was the reaction? Rachel Krys, Director at The Employers Forum on Age told the Mature Times: “Very mixed. One MP was quite irate and said we had frightened him and made him "have palpitations." Some simply acknowledged the letter via their secretaries. But others wrote back with strong letters of support for our campaign to end the default retirement age at 65, including David Winnick MP, Frank Cook MP, and Paul Flynn, MP - who told us that this was an issues regularly raised by his constituents."

Now, at the end of July, the EFA have met with a number of MPs since sending the letter out, and are hoping to secure an adjournment debate on the subject. Austin Mitchell MP has already put his name down to have a debate, which forms part of the EFA's long-term campaign to get the Government to commit to remove the retirement age in 2011 - rather than merely reviewing it.

Rachel continued: "Today, with people living longer than ever before, the current rationale for continuing to enforce a default retirement age when people reach 65 is completely archaic. We know from our own research that people want more choice about how and when they retire, and we are working with employers to increase this choice and extend flexibility for employees.

“The contribution which many great people have made to society would not have happened if they’d been forced to take retirement when they reached 65.  And they are not alone - every year thousands of people over 65 make huge contributions to the UK’s economy and heritage. Yet despite being capable of continuing in work, many more individuals are involuntarily retired at 65."

Because MPs are amongst a workforce who are lucky to have the freedom to choose when they wish to retire, or at least when they don’t want to stand again, many of them may be unaware of the realities facing the majority of the UK workforce.

Concluded Rachel: “The EFA is working with a growing number of employers who are operating very successfully without a fixed retirement age, and is encouraging other members to follow suit. We firmly believe that it is inevitable that the default retirement age will be removed altogether - whatever the outcome of the Heyday challenge.”

For a copy of ‘The end of the line for retirement ages; the business case for managing without a retirement age’, a report published by The Employers Forum on Age, including employer case studies, please go to the website linked below. All other enquiries call 0845 456 2495, or write to: EFA, Floor 3, Downstream, 1 London Bridge, London, SE1 9BG. Email: efa@efa.org.uk.

 

Your views? Email editorial@maturetimes.co.uk

 

YOU RESPOND

 

Naming and shaming might help some employers to think seriously about what they are doing.
 
Palpitations, that the spoof letter caused one MP to experience, sound minor compared with effect that losing a job I loved had on me. It has left me very debilitated. Getting rid of the legislation is one thing. How are we who suffered going to be compensated?

 

Sylvia Jones

 

What a blow it would be to their seeming omnipotence, were MPs reminded that they too are employees, and should be subjected to the same terms and conditions of employment including retirement at the age of sixty five as are ordinary mortals.

 

Parliament as it is structured is an archaic institution, its "modus operandi" is in need of a complete overhaul, the role of MPs examined, its powers put under scrutiny, and much more; however, many of your readers must be asking themselves how could this be brought about, feeling powerless.
 

Richard Newman