This guide provides information on the set of rules about retirement ages and the retirement process, including the introduction of a default retirement age of 65 and the concept of a fair retirement procedure. It also covers the right to retire; fixed retirement ages under the age of 65; requesting to stay beyond retirement age; timelines for the process; terms and conditions for staying on; and early voluntary retirement.

The Government announced on 29 July 2010 that it intended to abolish the default retirement age in 2011. From April 2011 employers will no longer be able to use the default retirement age to maintain a compulsory retirement policy for their workforce at age 65 or above.  There will be a six month transitional period (6 April 2011 to 1 October 2011) so that retirements that were already in train could continue through to completion provided that a notification of retirement is issued by the employer prior to 6 April 2011; the date of retirement falls before 1 October 2011; and all requirements of the default retirement age procedure are met.