New laws will prevent employers forcing workers to retire below State pension age

Last week, Cabinet approved the Employment (Contractual Retirement Ages) Bill 2025, which states a worker is allowed, but in no way compelled, to stay in employment until the State pension age of 66.

New laws around compulsory retirement will mean an older person’s income will not fall drastically by being forced to retire early, a regulatory analysis impact has found.

The analysis, carried out by the Department of Enterprise on the proposed legislation, said the measures would also “facilitate older people's engagement in economic and social life and encourage fuller and longer working lives”.