The evolution of retirement as systematic ageism

Abstract

Questions that people ask, when they hear that mandatory retirement has been repealed include: will people be forced to work longer to stay financially healthy? Will they change careers later in life to keep their interest in a subject or explore new interests? How will working longer affect their health? How will much older people affect the ambitions and working styles of younger colleagues? Will companies have to change their health and benefit plans to accommodate older people? This chapter discusses implications for both individuals and companies about hiring/retaining workers beyond the mandatory retirement age including differences in power relationships that place older workers who want to stay in their job in a compromised position. Issues related to international political economy will be addressed.