CMI response to rise in retirement age

24 June 2010

Ruth Spellman, chief executive of the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) has welcomed news that the government plans to raise the retirement age and calls for an end to the default retirement age. She comments:

"Forcing people to retire just because of a date stamp on their birth certificate is ridiculous. With 70 per cent of the 2016 working population already in jobs, the idea the idea that many will have no choice but to retire strikes fear into the hearts of businesses and employees alike.

"Right now organisations are clinging to the talent they hope will help them ride out a turbulent economy, so why should businesses have the added risk of losing the experience and know-how that their staff build up over time? People still pay to hear Tina Turner and Rod Stewart perform, even though they're over 65, so why shouldn't the same be said in other business sectors?

And, if life begins at 40, why should it only last 25 years! With medical advances it is short-sighted to argue that cognitive and physical abilities suddenly switch off. Many people want to carry on working, albeit at their own pace. Having a default retirement age goes against this and takes away the freedom that should be a working right."