Union fears at retirement age ‘default’ of 65

UNIONS in Britain last night voiced fears that people will be forced to work until they drop under Government plans to end fixed retirement ages.

Ministers insisted they were not forcing people to work longer as they unveiled new legislation which will create a right for people to work beyond the compulsory retirement age.

The new proposals will be implemented by October 2006 as part of a new European employment directive, also aimed at cracking down on age discrimination in the workplace.