Flexible working - Age Positive for Individuals
Skills, experience and competence should be the determining factors in employment decisions, not age. Many employers are already recognising the advantages of having a workforce made up of different age groups. Many individuals want the opportunity to improve their working lives and choose how and when they retire.
Age legislation and rights at work
New law on age discrimination will come into force on 1 October 2006.
This law will make it illegal to treat someone unfairly in employment and vocational training because of their age, without a good reason. It is good news as it will give you more rights and opportunities at work.
Employers will not be able to enforce compulsory retirement ages below the age of 65 (unless they have specific justifiable reasons for a lower age).
If your employer has a compulsory retirement age, you will have the legal right to ask to work beyond it, and your employer must formally consider your request.
ACAS is the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service. They provide advice and guidance about employee rights at work and age issues. To contact their Helpline number call 0845 7474747 or visit the ACAS website.
Choosing to continue working past state pension age
68-year-old Jan Lloyd works in the emergency medical unit at Dorset County Hospital. Jan retired when she was 59, but she missed her job so much that she reapplied. "They had no qualms about taking me back at 60. I just applied and got the job. I see no reason why I shouldn’t work. Having something I am interested in and feeling I can still give something back to society makes me want to carry on working."
Tesco say: “Nearly 16 per cent of our workforce are aged over 50. Having listened to a number of staff that were reaching retirement age and did not want to give up work, we have made it possible for people to continue working beyond pension age.”
Planning
You will be able to plan with your employer when you retire to meet your joint needs. People are living longer and having a longer period of retirement. It is important to be able to adjust the balance between home and work. For some, this balance may mean part-time working, job sharing, periods of unpaid leave or secondments. This doesn’t mean forcing you to work longer into later life – it means giving you more choice.
Improved benefits from delaying drawing your State Pension
If you choose to put off claiming your State Pension for a while, you may be able to get a higher State Pension, or the choice of a one-off taxable lump sum payment when you do finally claim. More information about deferring your State Pension.
State Pension forecast
You may claim a State Pension but how will it compare to your previous salary? A State Pension forecast will tell you the current value of the State Pension you have already earned and the amount you can expect at State Pension age.
Options for older workers'
'Flexible working' is a phrase that describes any working pattern adapted to suit your needs.
Find out what flexible working is and how to apply for it.
There are increasing options for older workers, such as: Reducing the number of hours you work, or moving to a less demanding role. However, you will need to check what effect this might have on your occupational pension. Working beyond State Pension age and taking advantage of deferring State Pension with subsequent increases, or taking State Pension while continuing to work. In future, taking advantage of the proposed new tax rules, which will allow you to continue working with the same employer as well as drawing your occupational pension.
If you need help with flexible working, there are interactive tools on the Directgov website to help you:
- find out if you have the statutory right to apply
- choose a type of working that suits you
- prepare a case to convince your employer
Flexible working and work-life balance: an introduction
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Are you over 50 ?
'Are you over 50?' is an easy-to-read guide to services and advice for people in their 50s, published by the Department for Work and Pensions.
It includes information about:
- working options, flexible working and new age discrimination laws
- pensions and financial advice including State Pension Deferral and the Pension Tracing Service
- volunteering opportunities
- information on gaining new skills
- guidance for carers
- advice on staying fit and healthy
Download a copy of Are
you over 50?
(PDF - 619KB)
A hard copy of 'Are you over 50?' is available free of charge from the Pensions Information Line on 08457 31 32 33.
Back-to-work information
Jobcentre Plus offers a range of services to help jobseekers of all ages to find work. They can advise on jobsearch, preparing for interview, training and starting your own business.
Jobseeker Direct is a quick and easy phone service which keeps individuals in touch with the latest job vacancies and helps people find jobs.
More job seeking information including links to specialist recruitment agencies.
Jobsfairs
Over 50 and looking for work ? Employers are looking to recruit people for all types of vacancies. Jobcentre Plus staff can offer friendly advice and let you know what kind of Tax Credit you could claim if you went into work. See the Jobcentre Plus website to find out more about Jobsfairs and help in your area.
Useful links
Directgov - Information for people over 50
Learning about money and managing retirement
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