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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to think that they should end mandatory retirement?

5 replies

bleh · 23/04/2009 09:49

Both of my parents are in their early 60s. My DM is on a contract, working as a teaching assistant, looking after new immigrants and children with learning disabilities. She LOVES her job, so much. She is much more active and has a (somewhat) younger mindset than many of her friends who are now retired. One of her friend's retired and immediately got old (shuffling about, playing bridge). My DM still runs about dressing up as a pirate (I know ... controversial) for pirate days at school. My DF also still works, in a lowly paid job, but one that he loves, he also stays active (recently injured himself after leaping over a wall and misjudging the height. After being asked why he was leaping over walls: it was there) drives all over the country and chats to lots of people.
But, both will have to retire soon. They're terrified. They don't have many savings (for various reasons, long periods of unwanted unemployment), they want to work and enjoy working. But they will have to retire.

AIBU to think this is ridiculous?

OP posts:
RuthChan · 23/04/2009 10:10

I agree. My parents are in their 60s and also very active. They are both self-employed so they are lucky enough to be able to choose how much they work and when they retire. It seems fair to allow those who want to retire at 60-65 to do so, but those who want to work longer should be allowed to, particularly in this time of the aging population and shrinking pensions.

bleh · 23/04/2009 12:24

Exactly.

OP posts:
flowerybeanbag · 23/04/2009 12:29

Employers are obliged to consider requests to work beyond any retirement age they choose to set for their employees. Have your parents actually requested to keep working?

There have been challenges to the legality of employers setting retirement ages recently, but at the moment it is legal to do so.

bleh · 23/04/2009 12:32

I don't think they knew that. I will discuss it next time I see them. I know my DM was very relieved to have her contract renewed recently.

OP posts:
heather1980 · 23/04/2009 12:36

i work with a lady who's 73. we work in a pharmacy and she is terrified of being an old woman!
i think that if people want to keep working then they should be allowed.
yanbu

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