Alright to work until 70?

Sophie Team Observers — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 17:17:16 +0100

You're forced to retire at 65 in France. But not for long - the French government is discussing plans to push it up to 70. Great, you might think. But the French don't. An extra five years of work means the end of social protection, they say.

Until now, French companies have been able to boot staff members out as soon as they hit their 65^th birthday. But now, the government is looking at increasing the "compulsory retirement" age. If the amendment, which primarily addresses social security financing problems, is adopted, then a worker cannot be forced to leave their post until the age of 70. An attractive plan to those who don't want to start watching daytime TV and doing the gardening at 65. Not in France. The amendment is causing outcry.

Those defending the change say it's simply an option, and not at all an obligation, for the employee. But critics say it's just the beginning of a move towards longer working years. We asked our Observers what they think the plans make of retirement. While the French unionist believes the French social model is in peril, our Nigerian Observer reckons that his countrymen would be happy with any amount of retirement time, forget the five years.

Contribute to this post: tell us what the retirement system's like in your country or give your advice on the law.