Tuesday 29 June 2010

Last week the UK coalition government announced plans to increase the state retirement age to 66 for men by as early as 2016; with further proposals that it should be raised to age 70 for both men and women during the next few decades.  The government also announced plans to consult on axing the default retirement age of 65, the age at which employers can force staff to retire.  According to the Work and Pensions Secretary Ian Duncan Smith, these measures have been suggested due to the fact that people are living longer and healthier lives, but what implications would they have for future generations?

Bill Carson, Chair of Age Sector Platform, says that each individual is different; and therefore this issue is all about choice.  He commented: “People should be able to work past the age of 65 if they want to, whilst others who can not continue to work must be assured that retirement will not leave them in dire financial difficulties.”