Retirement age 'should be scrapped' says an Age UK survey

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/10364525.stm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Most people want employers to lose the right to tell people when to retire, according to a survey by the charity, Age UK.

It says the government should scrap forced retirement immediately, currently set at 65 years for both men and women.

The survey showed more than two thirds thought the principle of forced retirement was wrong.

Age UK is asking the government to make clear its plans for the retirement age.

Under the current system, employers can tell any member of staff to leave work once they pass their 65th birthday, whether the individual wants to stop work or not.

One who did not want to retire was John White, a 69 year-old postman.

He was forced to leave work in July last year, despite the fact he loved his job and was good at it - a fact confirmed by his manager.

He points out that the higher-paid professions, such as politicians, doctors and judges, can keep on working past 65 - the age at which the state pension is paid to men.

'Speculation and confusion'
Women had been allowed to draw theirs from age 60, but that is now slowly changing to catch up with men.

The coalition government has said it intends to scrap the forced retirement age, but has given no guidance as to when it plans to do this.

Age UK, formerly known as Help the Aged and Age Concern, is calling on ministers to end what it calls "speculation and confusion" among employers and workers and set a date to end forced retirement.

The organisation says tens of thousands of workers were forced to retire last year.

"Forcing people in later life out of the labour market when they want to work, save for their pensions and pay taxes, is nonsense," Michelle Mitchell, charity director of Age UK, said.

"It makes a mockery of the Government's plans to help people work longer."

Age UK said Tuesday's Budget offered ministers the opportunity to say "loud and clear" when they were going to abolish "forced" retirement.

[DirtyHarry]

Age UK, I didn't realise it was a Tory "think-tank", not that they "think" of much else, other than how to make themselves even more wealthy.

[jockstrapp]

Any postie that wants to work past the age of 65 either hasn't a proper round or one sad b@stard. Only two years to go then Royal mail can stick their letters,flats,d2d and packets right up their @RSE, HERE'S ONE THAT IS STRAIGHT OUT THE DOOR :lfo :cfo :mfo

[andy2007]

It really depends on whether they can afford to retire. I know one bloke, who works in a WBC (Walk Bundling Centre) who has to work for an Agency, because he's too old for RM to employ him. He needs the money, and would earn more, if he was employed by RM. He's in his 70's.

Remember: There are other duties in RM. Not everyone does Deliveries, or works in the Segs. There's WBCs, FLT/Scuds, Staffing, etc.. Although I agree that it's rediculous to expect someone to do a physically demanding job past the current retirement age. But there's nothing to stop people doing the other duties, if they really need to, other than the existing rules.

On the other hand, it would also be wrong to prevent anyone retiring and collecting their pension at 65. Not everyone stays as fit as my Collegue in the WBC.

[pokos27]

The olderguys want Evr, stuff age concern.

[Jennifer]

"He points out that the higher-paid professions, such as politicians, doctors and judges, can keep on working past 65 - the age at which the state pension is paid to men."
Notice the key word 'professions'? You cannot compare these to what is 'unskilled labour' at Royal Mail! Who is kidding who here?

[mailman71]

if older people dont retire at 65 or in the future 66 where are the young folk going to get jobs,any posty working on deliveries must either have an easy delivery if they want to work past 65.

[andy2007]

There's nothing stopping people transfering off Deliveries, if they get too old to cope.

As for the problem of freeing up jobs for the younger generation. Not everyone can AFFORD to retire. For example: http://www.royalmailchat.co.uk/communit ... re#p179583" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; Pension schemes are gradually being erroded, so it'll be even worse by the time many of us retire. And as for the State Pension, which we've all been paying into, ever since we got our first job. Well let's face it, it's a pittance.

Also, there are some jobs, where people have been allowed to work past retirement age for decades. Has that contributed to the lack of jobs for young people?
No. Because new starters usually start at the bottom, and older employees, tend to work their way up to better duties. That's the point of the seniority system.

[Pinky 1]

Work past the age of 65 ? ........yeah right
On that birthday i'm out the door as fast as my f****d up limbs can carry me
.......and if Royal Fail want to make me a tidy offer beforehand, all the better

[andy2007]

Same here. But there are those, who simply can't afford to retire at a sensible age. Why shouldn't they have that option if they need it?

[BELIAL]

I've heard that there is a big stink at our local pre school about them not being allowed to hold full time jobs , precocious little f***ers

[heapsy]

if older people dont retire at 65 or in the future 66 where are the young folk going to get jobs,any posty working on deliveries must either have an easy delivery if they want to work past 65.

My sentiment entirely. The politicians don't tell the whole truth when they come out with this kind of s**t. The problem stems from not planning the pension reforms properly. The only way to change this is by bringing in personal accounts. They would need to phase out the old pension. Alongside this, a personal account would be set up and the contributions would be solely for the account holder. We have to get away from the idea that we must pay for those who are already retired.

[BELIAL]

Just heard the Tory Tit in charge of pensions and the daft/evil f****r reckons the average life expectancy is now 90 ; everyone else think it is 77 ,guess the Eton old boys know best

[baldrick]

Just heard the Tory Tit in charge of pensions and the daft/evil f****r reckons the average life expectancy is now 90 ; everyone else think it is 77 ,guess the Eton old boys know best

Life expectancy for Old Etonians probably is 90, but they wouldn't need the State retirement pension anyway.

[belle smith]

Just heard the Tory Tit in charge of pensions and the daft/evil f****r reckons the average life expectancy is now 90 ; everyone else think it is 77 ,guess the Eton old boys know best

I take it you mean Steven Webb? .....He's a Lib dem tit.