Working over the age of 66

Hi, next year I will reach retirement age. What, if I would like to work for few more years? Is it my right or is it in the discretion of my employer? I mean can he say no?

How should I go about it? Should I write a request to my employer? Or just keep working?

I came to Ireland over 20 years ago and have been in full employment since then. Never signed any contract. I didn’t care about it back then. In the meantime I acquired basic rights, so my employer can’t let me go for no reason. But is reaching a retirement age enough reason for terminating my employment?

GeJoan said:

Hi, next year I will reach retirement age. What, if I would like to work for few more years? Is it my right or is it in the discretion of my employer? I mean can he say no?

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Probably worth reading this guide to start with...

Thank you

The accepted norm until recently was that people retired at 65. Many companies will have that in their terms and conditions too.

In a way its a ridiculous concept as people are living far longer and are healthier than they were over 100 years ago when the 65 age was agreed to. A previous government wanted to gradually increase it to 70, but the usual naysayers ranted against it.

They did make some changes and did away with the compulsory age of 65 with something more fluid where you can choose (with the employer's agreement) to work for longer and your pension would accumulate too https://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland...ork-until-70-to-start-in-january-1569831.html

It's possible that the company holds all the aces here if they can show its company policy. There is legislation in the pipeline to change this, but not yet enacted https://www.ictu.ie/news/unions-welcome-renewed-commitment-ban-forced-retirement

So at present it is at the discretion of the employer and if they value your experience, they will want to keep you there - so start making yourself indispensable
I'd also look at a gradual wind down over 5 years.

GeJoan said:

Hi, next year I will reach retirement age. What, if I would like to work for few more years? Is it my right or is it in the discretion of my employer? I mean can he say no?

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Does your employer know what age you are? If not, and if you want to keep on working, then just stay shtum!



[On that point, has an employer got a legal right to insist on knowing an employee's age in a situation where there isn't a employment pension scheme in place?]

There are circumstances in which an employer may need the employee's date of birth.

You must also include the Personal Public Service Number (PPSN) of each employee you are paying. Where the PPSN is not available, the employee’s name, address and date of birth must be reported.

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I think that an employer is perfectly entitled to request the employee's date of birth as long as they adhere to GDPR/data protection rules and don't discriminate on the basis of age (a protected characteristic under equality law). Similarly an employee is entitled to not give that information but if they don't they may not get the job in the first place?

If @GeJoan starts to collect her COAP at age 66 and she wants to cease Prsi payments, she will need to inform her employer.
The employer would then know she is 66 +.

Otherwise the employer will continue to deduct class A contributions from her wages up to age 70.

FWIW

Due to age discrimination legislation, an employer is now not recommended to ask a candidate any questions relating to their age such as their date of birth or details of when they obtained any qualifications.

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Seems a bit mad to me but what do I know...

The employer might also be delighted to hear that an employee has reached age 66 and started to draw the COAP.
There is a considerable saving in employment costs when employing pensioners.

From 1 October 2025, there will be a slight increase in all PRSI rates. The employer PRSI rate will increase from 11.15% to 11.25% where weekly income is more than €527 and from 8.9% to 9% where weekly income is less. The employee PRSI rate will increase from 4.1% to 4.2%.

S class said:

There is a considerable saving in employment costs when employing pensioners.

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My mother does part-time work in her 70s and her employer pays just 0.5% Class J PRSI compared to 11.25% for her younger colleagues on the same hourly rate. I’ve told her more than once to try and bargain with her employer on this to direct it to her own pocket!

OP should bear this in mind when dealing with own employer that there is a material saving (≈10%) to the employer compared to a younger worker.