Menu
13/01/2011
'End Of The Line' On Retirement Age
The Government has today confirmed that it will remove the Default Retirement Age (DRA) so that people have more choice when to stop working. As well as benefiting individuals, the freedom to work for longer will provide a boost to the UK economy.
Ministers have decided to proceed with their plan to phase out the DRA between 6 April and 1 October 2011. The Government’s written response to its recent consultation on the issue, and new guidance to help businesses adapt to the removal of the regulation, have been published today.
Currently the DRA enables employers to make staff retire at 65 regardless of their circumstances, but the Government feels the rules must change as people are living longer, healthier lives.
Employment Relations Minister Edward Davey said: “Retirement should be a matter of choice rather than compulsion – people deserve the freedom to work for as long as they want and are able to do so.
"Older workers can play an incredibly important role in the workplace and it is high time we ended this outdated form of age discrimination.
"We are putting in place support to help business adapt to the change, but it is important to remember that about two-thirds of employers already operate without fixed retirement ages - and many of those with retirement ages already offer flexibility for workers to work longer.
Minister of State for Pensions Steve Webb said: "It's right that we put an end to this outdated form of discrimination where employers can force people out of a job simply because of their age. We will work with employers to ensure that the transition is fair and well understood."
The Government will help employers adapt to the change. Acas Chief Executive John Taylor said: "We stand ready to assist any employers who have been operating with a retirement age adapt to the change in the law. Acas has extensive experience of helping organisations understand how they can comply with Government legislation. Our guidance will be available on the Acas website."
The change means that from 6 April 2011, employers will not be able to issue any notifications for compulsory retirement using the DRA procedure. Between 6 April and 1 October, only people who were notified before 6 April, and whose retirement date is before 1 October can be compulsorily retired using the DRA. After 1 October, employers will not be able to use the DRA to compulsorily retire employees.
Although the Government is removing the DRA, it will still be possible for individual employers to operate a compulsory retirement age, provided that they can objectively justify it. Examples could include air traffic controllers and police officers.
The deregulatory measure is one of the steps the Government is taking to help encourage people to work for longer against the backdrop of demographic change. Others include raising the state pension age to 66 faster than currently scheduled and re-establishing the link between earnings and the basic state pension.
(BMcN)
Ministers have decided to proceed with their plan to phase out the DRA between 6 April and 1 October 2011. The Government’s written response to its recent consultation on the issue, and new guidance to help businesses adapt to the removal of the regulation, have been published today.
Currently the DRA enables employers to make staff retire at 65 regardless of their circumstances, but the Government feels the rules must change as people are living longer, healthier lives.
Employment Relations Minister Edward Davey said: “Retirement should be a matter of choice rather than compulsion – people deserve the freedom to work for as long as they want and are able to do so.
"Older workers can play an incredibly important role in the workplace and it is high time we ended this outdated form of age discrimination.
"We are putting in place support to help business adapt to the change, but it is important to remember that about two-thirds of employers already operate without fixed retirement ages - and many of those with retirement ages already offer flexibility for workers to work longer.
Minister of State for Pensions Steve Webb said: "It's right that we put an end to this outdated form of discrimination where employers can force people out of a job simply because of their age. We will work with employers to ensure that the transition is fair and well understood."
The Government will help employers adapt to the change. Acas Chief Executive John Taylor said: "We stand ready to assist any employers who have been operating with a retirement age adapt to the change in the law. Acas has extensive experience of helping organisations understand how they can comply with Government legislation. Our guidance will be available on the Acas website."
The change means that from 6 April 2011, employers will not be able to issue any notifications for compulsory retirement using the DRA procedure. Between 6 April and 1 October, only people who were notified before 6 April, and whose retirement date is before 1 October can be compulsorily retired using the DRA. After 1 October, employers will not be able to use the DRA to compulsorily retire employees.
Although the Government is removing the DRA, it will still be possible for individual employers to operate a compulsory retirement age, provided that they can objectively justify it. Examples could include air traffic controllers and police officers.
The deregulatory measure is one of the steps the Government is taking to help encourage people to work for longer against the backdrop of demographic change. Others include raising the state pension age to 66 faster than currently scheduled and re-establishing the link between earnings and the basic state pension.
(BMcN)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
13 August 2004
Employers against raising retirement age: survey
Employers are standing up for the rights of older workers with nearly nine in 10 believing they shouldn't be forced to work past 65, according to new research.
Employers against raising retirement age: survey
Employers are standing up for the rights of older workers with nearly nine in 10 believing they shouldn't be forced to work past 65, according to new research.
25 January 2010
Calls For Longer Working Life
Employees should be offered greater flexibility if they decide to work past retirement age, a Equality Commission reports has said. Under a raft of proposals, the Commission called for the abolition of the default retirement age.
Calls For Longer Working Life
Employees should be offered greater flexibility if they decide to work past retirement age, a Equality Commission reports has said. Under a raft of proposals, the Commission called for the abolition of the default retirement age.
14 December 2004
Government plans age discrimination crackdown
The Government has unveiled new proposals to crackdown on age discrimination in the workplace.
Government plans age discrimination crackdown
The Government has unveiled new proposals to crackdown on age discrimination in the workplace.
15 July 2005
Age discrimination to be outlawed
Discrimination against those over 65 in the workplace is set to be outlawed, under new measures proposed by the government. The regulations, which have been published in draft, will ban age discrimination in terms of recruitment, promotion and training and ban all retirement ages below 65, except where objectively justified.
Age discrimination to be outlawed
Discrimination against those over 65 in the workplace is set to be outlawed, under new measures proposed by the government. The regulations, which have been published in draft, will ban age discrimination in terms of recruitment, promotion and training and ban all retirement ages below 65, except where objectively justified.
23 March 2006
BA announces plans to raise staff pension age
British Airways has announced plans to raise the retirement age for some of its staff in a bid to clear a £1 billion deficit in its pension scheme. BA announced that the compulsory retirement age for pilots and cabin crews would rise to 60. However, after five years, the compulsory pension age for cabin crew would rise to 65.
BA announces plans to raise staff pension age
British Airways has announced plans to raise the retirement age for some of its staff in a bid to clear a £1 billion deficit in its pension scheme. BA announced that the compulsory retirement age for pilots and cabin crews would rise to 60. However, after five years, the compulsory pension age for cabin crew would rise to 65.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
