Author Description

There are more over fifties in employment in the UK than ever before and the employment rate of older people is on the increase. In August 2016 over 1.2 million people were working beyond age 65. Several factors have contributed to this ageing of the workforce. People born post-World War II to 1964 are now in their fifties and sixties; the first reached the age of 70 years in 2016 The UK default retirement age was abolished in 2011 making it is unlawful to compulsorily retire an employee because of age, unless it can be justified objectively as a proportionate means of achieving a legitimate aim. Consequently people can work for as long as they want and are able. Older workers can still retire voluntarily and draw any occupational pension to which they are entitled Falling birth rates and increased lifespans put pressure on economies, public finances and pension schemes. People will have to work longer to meet labour market needs and to have adequate retirement income as they live l ...