The Government should seize the historic opportunity to scrap the Default Retirement Age on a wave of public support and consensus across generations, says Age UK, revealing almost two thirds of adults want ministers to abolish forced retirement immediately.

Ahead of the emergency Budget, a new survey commissioned by Age UK shows 65 per cent of the public think the Government should scrap forced retirement law immediately. Seven in ten people believe employers should not be allowed to force people to retire just because they have reached a certain age.

Under the current law, tens of thousands of workers were forced to retire in 2009 causing an estimated loss of £3.5bn in economic output at a time when every pound is needed to boost public finances, Age UK claims.

A hugely unpopular law

Michelle Mitchell, Charity Director of Age UK, said: “The Default Retirement Age is a hugely unpopular law which is well past its sell-by date. The Budget offers ministers the opportunity to say loud and clear when they are going to abolish it.

“Forcing people in later life out of the labour market when they want to work, save for their pensions and pay taxes is nonsense. It makes a mockery of the government's plans to help people work longer.

“A clear commitment to scrapping forced retirement next April is needed to end speculation and confusion among employers and employees alike. It would show how the government was making 'freedom and fairness' a reality for many people in later life who are denied that opportunity.”
 

For more information: www.ageuk.org.uk