Review of default retirement age brought forward

A review of the default retirement age will be brought forward by a year, paving the way for an end to the law which allows employers to compel staff to retire at 65.

Yesterday the government announced that a review into the default retirement age planned for 2011 would now take place next year, in response to changing demographic and economic conditions. Pensions minister Angela Eagle said: “The different circumstances today – for businesses and for individuals coming up to retirement – suggest that an earlier review is appropriate. As Britain’s demographics change, it is sensible that we have the debate on what works for business and individuals. The retirement laws need to reflect modern social and economic circumstances.”