Retirement

Pension age is not an employment end date

Most workers choose when to retire. There is no general default retirement age, and a person does not have to leave work when they can claim the State Pension or a workplace pension. Pension access and ending employment are separate decisions.

The Acas retirement guidance says an employer-set retirement age is possible only where the employer can objectively justify it, which can be difficult. A small number of occupations have separate age rules.

Let the worker lead the decision

Discuss future plans with workers of all ages through ordinary career conversations. Do not repeatedly ask an older worker when they will leave, link performance or absence concerns to retirement, or withhold training because pension age is approaching. Pressure can amount to age discrimination.

If the worker raises retirement, explain notice, flexible-working options and pension contacts without assuming a preferred date. Ill-health retirement depends on scheme terms and is not a route for forcing someone out because of disability or absence.

Process the notice as a resignation

Once formal notice is given, acknowledge the date received, notice period, final day, holiday, pay, benefits and property return. A clear notice normally cannot be withdrawn without the employer's agreement, although both sides can agree a change.

Keep pension administration separate and direct the worker to the scheme for benefit choices. Record the employee's decision rather than changing the leaver reason to dismissal. Northern Ireland follows the same practical distinction, with its own age-discrimination framework and official retirement guidance.