29 July 2010
The government is proposing to scrap the default retirement age
of 65 from October 2011 and has started a consultation process
about removing this rule. If this proposal is introduced, this
would mean that employers would not be allowed to dismiss staff
because they had reached 65.
At the moment, an employer can force an employee to retire at 65
without having to pay any financial compensation. Currently, the
employer has an obligation to hold a meeting with staff members to
discuss plans at least six months before their 65th
birthday but the employer has discretion as to whether or not they
will allow the staff member to continue working beyond 65.
