The Equalities watchdog have said that people should be free to choose whether they continue working into older age instead of being forced to retire when they reach 65.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) said the current retirement law is outdated and discriminatory against people who would prefer to continue working until they choose to retire, as opposed to having the decision taken out of their hands as soon as they are 65. Employers currently have the right to terminate employment of staff as soon as they reach the 'retirement age' though it is estimated that there are 1.3 million workers over 65 in the UK workforce at the moment.

The EHRC also called for employers to consider more flexible working hours for over 65s and estimated that the economy would receive a 15 billion pounds boost by allowing employees to lengthen their working lives.

Baroness Margaret Prosser, the commission's deputy chairman, said that:

"Britain has experienced a skills exodus during the recession and as the economy recovers we face a very real threat of not having enough workers -- a problem that is further exacerbated by the skills lost by many older workers being forced to retire at 65."

Around 1,500 men and women aged between 50 and 75 took part in a poll wherein 24 per cent of men and 64 per cent of women said they want to keep working beyond the state pension age (due to be 65 for both sexes by 2020).

The government has promised to review the law.

If you are an employer or employee based in Northern Ireland and require advice on retirement or any other aspect of employment law contact Wilson Nesbitt solicitors in Belfast at 0800 840 9296 or by mailing employment@wilson-nesbitt.co.uk .

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