Retirement Age Finally Phased Out

Finally, after much campaigning, age equality advocates have succeeded in their quest to get the default retirement age phased out. Staff will now no longer be forced to retire at 65.

At the heart of the argument for this move is the fact that people now live longer and healthier lives, and should not be penalized for this by becoming “scrap heap” candidates at a certain age.

The process was completed to coincide with Older People’s day on 1 October, and is considered a victory for older people specifically and for employees in general.

Michell Mitchell, the Age UK director of charity, said “We hope that by taking away the arbitrary 'best before' date for employers, attitudes towards older workers will quickly evolve to look at their skills and experience, not their date of birth."

Some businesses have less then welcomed the news, expressing reservations in terms how smaller firms will cope with the change. Particularly, individuals such as the national chairman of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), John Walker, have concerns about the possible cost of legal battles that might ensue.

Only time will tell if fears will be realized, or weather the new move will bring welcome relief and continued meaning in life for deserving older people.

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