Employment - In England

This information applies to England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland

The normal retirement age for both men and women is 65, unless your employment contract says it is higher.

If your contract says you have to retire at 60, your employer is unlikely to be able to make you retire before 65 unless they have a very good reason. If they make you retire before 65, this will be age discrimination and you should seek further advice.

If you're a trade union member, talk to your trade union about how to negotiate with your employer or talk to an experienced adviser.

If you think you have been discriminated against because of your age, you should get advice from an experienced adviser, for example, at a Citizens Advice Bureau. To search for details of your nearest CAB, including those that can give advice by e-mail, click on nearest CAB. Or, contact the Equality and Human Rights Commission at: www.equalityhumanrights.com. In Northern Ireland, contact the Equality Commission at:www.equalityni.org.

For more information about age discrimination at work, see Age discrimination at work.

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Other Frequently asked questions about employment:

• Am I entitled to paid holiday?
• Am I entitled to have the Bank holiday off work?
• My partner is due to have a baby very soon. Am I entitled to any time off work? Will I get paid?
• Can my employer force me to give back an overpayment of wages?
• Does my employer need to give me a certain period of notice before he dismisses me?
• Can my employer dismiss me because I am pregnant?
• I think I am being discriminated against at work because I am a woman.  What can I do?
• What can I do about being victimised after I complained about being discriminated against at work?
• I feel I am being racially discriminated against at work.  What can I do?
• Is there any special protection in the workplace for disabled people?
• I think I'm being treated unfairly because of my religion, is this legal?
• I'm being harassed at work because my colleagues think I’m gay. What can I do?
• I’ve just applied for a job and the form asks for my date of birth. Do I have to give it? I’m afraid the company won’t look at my application if they realise how old I am.
• I am under a lot of stress at work, does my employer have to do anything about this?
• When I was younger I got into trouble with the police. I'm applying for jobs now and I'm worried my conviction will stop me getting work. Do I have to tell employers about my criminal record?