Default Retirement Age Phase Out - April 6th, 2011
Most employers will be aware of the phasing out of the UK's default retirement age on April 6th, but are you aware of the transitional provisions that are currently in place?
By now, most employers are aware that the UK’s default retirement age that presently allows employers to lawfully retire employees on or after their 65th birthday will be phased out from 6th April 2011 as will the associated retirement procedures that many employers have become accustomed to follow.
However, there are transitional provisions in place after this date that allow for pending retirement under the current procedures to be completed. Despite much controversy during the drafting stages, we now have some definitive legislation dictating how the transitional provisions will apply.
We have taken this opportunity to speak with Brendan Wincott, Compliance Officer, at Newcastle-under-Lyme based Bibby Consulting and Support, who tells us more about the transitional provisions.
Brendan explained that “in order to rely on the transitional provisions, employers need to have provided 6 to 12 months written notice to an employee before the 6th April 2011 of their impending retirement date. In addition, the employee also needs to be 65 already or attain this age by the 30th September 2011. If the employee is not 65 until after this date, you cannot rely on the transitional provisions.”
Brendan went on to explain that “there is possibility for employers to postpone this date by a one-off extension of less than 6 months, but the key is to ensure that you do not miss the deadline of the 5th April 2011 for serving your retirement notification.”
There are some intrinsic timeframes attached to the transitional provisions and any employers requiring advice and assistance with these should contact Bibby Consulting and Support for their free guide on how the transitional provisions will apply.
If you are an existing client of Bibby Consulting and Support, please call one of the team today on 08453 100 999 quoting your PCN number. If however you are not yet a client of Bibby CAS, but are interested in learning more about the services Bibby CAS provide, please call Katy Vaughan today on free phone 0800 015 7541 for your free no obligation quote. Alternative if you wish to receive the free guide please complete your details below.
This News Release is intended to provide a general overview and discussion of the subject matter. It is not however, intended to give advice or to act as a substitute to taking legal advice from our Support Line in any specific situation. Bibby CAS accepts no liability or responsibility for the information contained within this news release. If you would like specific advice about this subject matter, please contact one of the Employment Law Team today on 08453 100 999.
