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Do you have to retire?

The default retirement age is being abolished, which means in many cases you can continue to work as long as you want to. Find out more about changes to the laws around retirement age, retiring early and working longer.

Retirement age

The default retirement age is being abolished. This means if you didn’t receive notice from your employer before 6 April 2011, you can’t be made to retire using the default retirement age of 65. Your employer can only make you retire if this can be objectively justified in the particular circumstances.

If you feel your employer is treating you unfairly due to your age, you can challenge this at an employment tribunal. See ‘Age discrimination’ to find out more about objective justification.

It’s your responsibility to talk to your employer about your retirement options. If you want to continue working it may be possible to change your working pattern and hours. Working later in life carries a range of benefits such as having greater financial control and continuing to enjoy a full, active lifestyle.

Can you still be made to retire?

If your employer didn’t tell you before 6 April 2011 that you have to retire then you can’t be compulsory retired using default retirement age. Your employer could only retire you using the default retirement age if you were aged 65 or above before 1 October 2011.

Your employer must also have given you between 6 and 12 months notice. There is also the possibility of an extension of up to six months through the ‘right to request’. This means the latest possible retirement date that could be set using default retirement age is 5 October 2012.

State Pension age

Your State Pension age is the earliest age you can get your State Pension. This is not the same as retirement age. Retirement age is when you choose to retire, but you can still work after State Pension age. Find out what your State Pension age is.

Early retirement

If you retire early, or stop work due to redundancy, ill-health or other reasons, your State Pension and other pensions you're entitled to may be affected. You need to know all your pension options to make sure you'll have enough to live on in retirement.

Working past State Pension age

Reaching State Pension age doesn’t mean you have to give up work. You can carry on working and still receive your State Pension. You may also be able to change your working hours to suit you. Find out about the advantages of working longer and the options available to you.