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Gordon Lishman, Director General of Age Concern, said:

“The reality of the transition from working to retired life can be a shock to the system. Many older people find they miss the stimulation of a job. Yet despite the fact that many older people now want to work for longer, they are often forced to leave the workplace because of their age, denying them the chance to use their skills and experience.

“The ultimate ‘cliff edge’ many older workers experience is the mandatory retirement age of 65, which allows employers to sack their workers purely on the basis of age. The government must abolish this discriminatory barrier if it is serious in wanting to help older people to continue working. Employers should also offer the option of flexible working for older workers who want to down-scale from a full-time role.”

ENDS

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