Working on

Retirement ought to be a choice rather than an obligation. Why? For the simple reason that people who are competent to do a particular job should be able to go on doing it, and if they cease to be competent, then this rather than their age should be the reason for bringing their employment in the job to an end. So there should be a right to work beyond the age of 65 and indeed, in principle, beyond any age. Now the changing age structure of the population suggests there are also strong economic reasons for getting rid of a default retirement age. Well, if it's right it's right; but it may happen more easily if the economic argument is sound.