Even Parliament now says "let older people work"

29/04/2009

A Work and Pensions Committee report has called on the Government to scrap the national default retirement age.

 

The report specifically recommends that “the Government removes regulation 30, which permits employers to continue to compulsorily retire employees at the age of 65. This regulation contradicts the Government's wider social policy and labour market objectives to raise the average retirement age and allow people to continue to work and save for their retirement".

 

Michelle Mitchell, Charity Director for Age Concern and Help the Aged, says: “This report should be seen by Ministers as the final nail in the coffin for the national default retirement age. This outmoded practice flies in the face of public opinion, established Government policy and the needs of the economy.
 
“Many older people want to continue to work passed the age of 65,  often to top-up inadequate retirement savings. We live in an ageing society and  to rebuild a strong economy we need the experience and contribution that older workers offer.
 
“Now the groups of MPs who specialise on workforce matters have rubbished the national default retirement age, the Government should act fast to get rid of it once and for all.”