Work age raise to 70 challenges prejudice
Work age raise to 70 challenges prejudice
A new report has called for retirement age to be increased to 70 as soon as possible, and for the subsequent savings made on pension payouts to be used to simplify the basic state pension and increase its value.
Charlie Mullins, Managing director of the UK's largest independent plumbing firm, Pimlico Plumbers commented: "The IOD's proposal, which effectively outlaws means testing, will simply leave the less well off even further out of pocket. Most older people nowadays are already having to work past the current retirement age, as they cannot afford to live on a state pension.
Mr Mullins is warning businesses will need to radically change their attitude to older workers, if the retirement age is raised to 70. His comments come as a report from The Institute of Directors (IOD) this week demands a 'radical reform' of both the state and private retirement benefit systems: "If raising the retirement age to 70 is going to work, then businesses will need to radically change their attitude when it comes to employing older people. They should be seen as an asset and not as an inconvenience and work policies need to be introduced to reflect their differing needs."
Mr Mullens added: "Some companies may already have employees continuing to work with them beyond 65, but I would urge firms to also consider employing people in this age category. At Pimlico we do both and I'm sure it has played a part in our ongoing success. "There are thousands of older people living in this country, who possess a huge amount of experience and expertise. And what's more I've found over the years that older employees are some of my most reliable and trustworthy."
28 October 2009
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Created on: 28-Oct-09 13:02
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