should people in their sixties be forced to retire?

Let me answer your initial question. NO!!!! why should you be? that makes no sense if you can still do the job, keep on plugging at what you do. And why did they fire you if I may ask?

I agree with you 100% on this, Hatley. I know so many older people that are very,very good in what they do. In fact some of them would be very hard to replace. I think to force someone to retire at a certain age is discriminating and unfair. I work with a lady that is 85 and I was shocked to learn her age...this woman is smart and does her job well and a very valuable employee. We love her to pieces. She is a widow but dates and goes out dancing etc. She has her stuff together. I know many young people that could not begin to do the job some of these older more experienced people do simply because many don't have the work ethics that some of the older ones do. Job performance, not age should be the factor in letting someone go. I actually don't agree with any retirement age. Health issues have forced some much younger than "retirement age" out of work. If they have a legit reason for not working, they should not have to wait until a certain age to collect.

Why anyone is like this, is beyond me. I have heard so many things anymore about how older people should retire, not be able to drive, etc. I feel it should be a Case by Case based thing, and not just on everyone that is over a certain age, and just because you are old enough for Social Security means you should Retire, and sit at home and do nothing. Have they forgotten about how expensive it is to live, and who pays for their Meds, etc. when they do have to retire? Maybe these are the same ones who think cutting SS and Medicare is the right thing to do as well. Personally, I feel there is nothing wrong with older people working, and where I work they actually encourage it. It should be up to an individual when they retire, and not someone else. If you are still Health wise able to work, and want too there should be no age limit. Where I work, there is a woman who is 83 who works in the Office, and is very well respected. I only wish I could be like her if I live that long.

This Person has no right to say things like that and as for 60 apparently being old People in their 70s work better then the Younger ones When I was a Manager I have seen a 70 year old work faster and with in his work then a 26 year old

I don't think anyone should be forced to retire until they want to. I'm going to be a writer until I die but age discrimination is common in non-arts fields. Many people who drive the van service that I take are retired from their main job and do it to supplement income.

I am just glad that financially I was able to retire. I started preparing and saving years before my planned date. I thoroughly enjoy every day and feel that I have earned this time in my life. I feel sorry for people you must keep on working just to be able to afford to keep a roof over their heads and food on their table. Some people just want to work as they enjoy it not because they have to.....if so enjoy! BTW if your supervisor thought you were such a great employee what reason did she give for firing you??

I don't think so.If one is active and good at their job age should not be a constraint.If a person who is over sixty is quite comfortable with a big fat bank balance and is happy to retire and sit at home that's a different matter altogether.When we need the income especially when one gets old you have to think of your hospital expenses, you do not want to be a burden to anyone and still more some people are so used to being occupied that they hate to sit idle.There is another side to this discussion too.There are companies who have their top bosses who are very old they just continue in their jobs till their very last.Youngsters however much they excel they just cannot get their promotions because these oldies are retained by the company.

Hi Patsie, I don't think they should be forced, no more than a young person who is able to do a job should be sacked (but we all know people do get sacked and it happens to both the young and old). As we get old, our minds might become more agile if we keep using it. However as it is, most people don't and they become less suitable workers as they age. Also, attitudes of older people might become more jaded and they may be thick in their heads and resist change which may be necessary for the company. Also, our bodies will weaken (for most people unless they keep a healthy diet and stick to an exercise regime) and that makes us less suitable for some jobs than younger people. It is quite like the saying, "We all have our time". We had ours, so it is time for the young to take over. So you see, I have but mentioned some of the factors why a older person may be less suitable... and so retirement may be a better choice. Yet what if you need the money to continue living? That brings me back to the beginning of this reply. Someone in his or her sixties should not be sacked or forced to retire (which is quite the same) just because he has reached a certain numerical age. If there is someone younger, yes, who wants the position, they have to be measured side by side to see who fits the job better. If the young person is more "qualified" in all sense, then it is only fair that the young get the job. This comparison is no different from two young people fighting to get the same job. However, we all get old, save for the immortals among us. I do feel that some leeway should be given - in scouting, I think we call it brownie points? - to the older ones. An older may also consider volunteering for a pay cut IF he feels he can longer do the job as well. So if he feels he is performing as well as he was 20 years ago, fine, he can keep the same pay. Otherwise, with his experience, I should think a company would be willing to keep seasoned talent. It is like a give and take situation. The older employee takes a step back by taking a lower pay in acknowledgment that he can no longer perform the job as well (again, I stress that if the performance is not affected by age, then pay cut is a moot issue). As for the company, instead of employing another younger person, it gets to cut some cost by retaining a worthwhile talent. So it works out to a win-win situation in the end, despite the harsh reality of aging.

Hi Hatley, I personally think as long as a person is fit and able to do the job it doesn't matter what age they are. I know so many very active 60+ people who would be bored staying at home who choose to work and others that need too to supplement the miserable pension they receive. The company I work for prefers older people as in general (this is not aimed at all young people as I know some are also very concientious workers) they are more reliable and trustworthy, have less time off and have life experience too which can only come with age. A lot of youngsters don't want to work just play in the workplace. Age is a number and as long as a person if fit enough to do the job age shouldn't matter. Huggles. Ellie :D

I think anyone who is capable of working shoud be able to, regardless of age. In today's world, many don't have pensions and Social Security payments are often not enough to pay expenses. When she gets that old, she'll understand.

Here in our country, that is the same retirement age for the workers. We even have an option to retire earlier if we had just reached the length of service of I guess 15 years. That is if we had started working at earlier age. But some people goes back to working even after retirement. They say that they can still work and still fit to work. They also said that they are more than fit to the job than the younger people. But just an opinion, if they can rest and retire and stay at home and their pension and other income can sustain their needs, I think they should, to give other jobless a chance to work. I believe you were one best people and as a worker and I can see who were you with how you participate, being so active on here. Have a great day my friend. (neildc @ red/90/1777)

I wonder if that user would say the same thing once she reaches 60 and is "let go" but still wants and is very much able to work.

I'm all for older people in the workplace. They have a much better work ethic than the "children." The economy is so bad that even when folks DO retire, there's not enough $$ and the government is constantly cutting benefits to pay for their illegal war. I'm almost 48 and work in a call center for a company that hires a lot of 20 somethings and I've never seen such unethical and childish behavior. They're SUPPOSED to be answering calls from customers, but they're wandering around disrupting other workers, putting customers on hold so they can talk to their "significant other" on either the other COMPANY line or their cells, missing calls entirely and shrugging, watching Youtube, soap operas, movies, playing games, talking to customers with their mouths full, half-assing the calls they DO take and GETTING AWAY WITH IT! It's like a giant kindergarten. The managers are too busy planning pizza parties to keep the "kids" happy or going to endless meetings to monitor them and it's not til a customer makes a HUGE stink that they bother to "remind" people to behave. They shouldn't have to send that kind of message OR babysit I would NEVER have dared to do this kind of nonsense and would never try any of that Then they expect the older workers to pick up the slack when the "kids" screw things up (which they do constantly)

They shouldn't forced the old ones to retire.If they still want to work let them be.People who's not devoted to anything they do might say that old ones should forced to retire and give opportunity to young ones becoz they don't know how those old ones love what they are doing and love their job.Some people don't understand that old ones still work not becoz of the money they earn it's becoz they are used to it,it is what they do most of their lives and they do it in a daily basis.So its not that easy for them just to retire.I know a friend who is very workaholic and he cant just sit and relax he wants to do work all the time coz he is passionate in what he does and he said to me he will only retire when he is in his 80's even just a consultant.We have our freedom to do everything we want as long as it is progressive,no one can tell us when to stop and what to do in our life!!!

Im sorry does she not have common sense? Prices are on the rise all around us and yet SS and income isnt going up so yes older people need to work too. Getting older doesnt mean living cheaper. I personally think as long as the person can do their job leave them keep the job! 60-65 isnt that old either! Someone needs a reality check in my opinion! If they can do the job let them is my motto!

[i]I agree with you Hatley, I was working with older people who are very efficient in their job! But, in our Country, they are always respected and younger employer will always look forward to them and be with them because they know that they will learn so much! SO, I am with you wishing that other people will always respect these people and will ask them to even share their expertise to the younger generation![/i]

For your boss to say that to you and then fire you? how rude!!! If you're able to work and you do what is required of you, then I don't see age being an issue. Everyone should be treated according to their abilities and if ones performance starts to suffer because of whatever reason, then that's when it needs to be looked at. If you're performing well and up to whatever standards the company requires, then age shouldn't be an issue I would think. Good for you for working till you were almost 80 Hatley :)

I see no reason why people should not be able to work as long as they are able! But that word able might well mean something different to the employer and to the employee. But if both are happy, then I see no problem. There is a man working in the UK who has just celebrated his 100th birthday. He cleans the vehicles for a London firm of plumbers.

I agree with you, if a person is of good health and is still able to do a good job then they should be left to it. Today it seems that age is not a problem in a lot of things now. Although I do think that a person should have the choice and not have to carry on working because they cannot afford not to, that is unfair, retirement was supposed to be a chance for people to have those last years to relax and do what they want and now people cannot because they cannot survive. I do not see 60 - 65 as being old anymore, it has all just changed.

no! as long as they're still capable of working they should not be forced to retire..