Press Archive
Don't tell us when to retire, say UK workers
11 October 2001

(But close to half think that politicians and judges should be forced to retire by the time they are 60)
  • Three in four people think that workers should be able to choose when they retire
  • Close to half argue that a set retirement age encourages age discrimination
  • Over half worry that they won't be able to afford to retire
Retirement ages should be scrapped and workers able to choose when they retire, according to a nationwide survey published today (11 October 2001) by the Employers Forum on Age.

Retirement in the 21st Century – which coincides with Government plans on the possible abolition of mandatory retirement ages – reveals that three in four people (74 per cent) surveyed believe that workers should be able to choose when they retire and more than four in ten (40.9 per cent) argue that retirement ages should be abolished. Forty-six per cent claim that a set retirement age encourages age discrimination.

Careering towards retirement
While most advocate abolishing mandatory retirement ages, the majority think that workers in different professions should have different retirement ages.

Close to half believe that politicians (45.2 per cent) and judges (46.7 per cent) should retire by the time they reach 60 years old, but one in ten say that these professions should not carry a maximum age limit (10.8 per cent and 11.1 per cent) – echoing Lord Denning's claim, who retired at 83, that: 'You can do good work after 75. I think I gave some of my judgements of greatest value after 75.'

Firefighters and pilots fare worst, with 43.9 per cent and 42.1 per cent of those surveyed claiming that they should be forced to retire before they are 55 years old respectively – and many would prefer them to retire at 50. A third (33.7 per cent) believe that police officers should retire before they reach 55.

More than three-quarters (77.1 per cent) also argue that chief executives should be forced to retire before they reach 65. Twelve per cent believe the role of CEO should carry no retirement age.

Ms Sam Mercer, campaign director of the Employers Forum on Age, says: 'These results show that the UK is at a cross-roads. There seems to be mass confusion and unrealistic expectations of being able to work for 30 years and then retire for 30 years. This is clearly not sustainable and it is a situation that will only get worse. By 2025, for every two people employed there is likely to be one retired or inactive person over 50. If we are to employ the talents of the UK workforce effectively, then the current concept of retirement needs a radical overhaul.'
  • Looking forward to burning the briefcase
  • Not surprisingly, however, the findings reveal that a large number of people are looking forward to retirement. Three-quarters (74.2 per cent) say they would like to retire by the time they are 60 – and a further fifth want to stop working sometime between 61–65 years old.
And for those planning to retire before 60, the majority say that the only thing that would make them reconsider is money (39.2 per cent), with fewer hours scoring a mere 13.9 per cent.

Close to half (49 per cent) also argue that a fixed retirement age enables people to retire with dignity, while four in ten (41 per cent) worry that if retirement ages aren't fixed they will be forced to keep on working.

Other findings include:
  • Over half (55.5 per cent) worry that they won't be able to afford to retire.
  • Twenty-three per cent claim that their employer does not want anyone to stay on past 55
  • Forty-three per cent say that taking away fixed retirement ages will damage promotion prospects for younger workers
The decision on whether to outlaw mandatory retirement ages, as part of anti-discrimination laws to be introduced by 2006, will begin this autumn. Employers and individuals can send their opinions to efa@ace.org.uk; evidence will be presented to the Government-led Age Advisory Group.

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