Personnel Today and the Employers Forum on Age hosted a debate on the default retirement age (DRA) of 65 in London yesterday. The debate was chaired by FT columnist Stefan Stern, who has reported it on his blog, and featured employers and campaigners both for and against the DRA.
Whilst there were differing point of view, there seemed to be a consensus on the notion of flexible retirement, and that (awful phrase) 'choice' was crucial for both employers and employees.
One important point made was that although the government has brought forward its review of the DRA to 2010, it has yet to start the promised evidence-based review that will inform the final decision. And with a general election to be held no later than June 2010, a politically motivated decision is more likely.
The debate was filmed and video will be appearing on the Personnel Today website, and I'll try and post a short clip here as well.
On a related note, the Work and Pensions Select Committee is publishing a report tomorrow that recommends scrapping the DRA. Every pensioner that wants to continue working should be allowed to, the MPs say.
