Judge rules employers can sack you at 65, for now

But the judge who made the ruling doubts whether it will stand in the long run, while charities for the elderly that launched the case vowed to take their battle to Parliament.

Age Concern and Help the Aged said the Government had only avoided defeat because ministers had already caved in to pressure for a review next year.

Mr Justice Blake, who ruled on the case, says: "I cannot presently see how 65 could remain as a default retirement age (DRA) after the review."

He said he had taken into account the Government's intention to review retirement regulations in 2010 now, rather than 2011, and that it was not for the court to decide what DRA was justified.

Under UK law, a British employer can dismiss a member of staff without redundancy payments on their 65th birthday (see the Redundancy, Debt Help and Mortgages Arrears guides).

Employees have the right to request working beyond retirement age, but although employers have a duty to consider these requests, they need offer no justification for refusal.

The two charities, now merged as Age UK, had argued the DRA introduced by the Government in 2006 is unlawful because it does not comply with an EU directive against age discrimination.

But the Government argued the EU directive on equal treatment in employment permits member states to allow differences in treatment.

'Blow' for workers

The charity says the High Court ruling was a blow for older people who need to work longer to secure a decent retirement in the face of recession and a drop in returns on savings and investments (see the State Pension Boosting and Pension MoneySaving guides).

Andrew Harrop, head of public policy at Age Concern and Help the Aged, says: "Today's ruling does not spell the end of our campaign to win justice for older workers.

"In fact, we will be stepping up our fight to get this outdated legislation off the statute book.

"Despite the judgment today, ministers still have the opportunity this side of a crucial General Election to give real help to people in their 60s by outlawing forced retirement.

"They should amend the Equality Bill which is currently making its way through Parliament.

"In his ruling the judge makes it clear that the only reason he has allowed the law to stand is because ministers have already caved in to our pressure for a review of the law.

"He makes it clear that forced retirement at 65 is unsustainable.

"This judgment makes it crystal clear that this unfair legislation is past its sell by date."

Further reading/Key links

Job loss help: Redundancy Help, Debt Help and Mortgages ArrearsGet a better pension: State Pension Boosting, Pension MoneySaving