A landmark ruling by the UK Supreme Court has signalled that employers may have some power to ensure workers retire at 65. The court unanimously dismissed an appeal by a solicitor who was told to retire by a City law firm just after his 65th birthday. Leslie Seldon, a partner at the firm, wanted to continue working, but his request was turned down. Part of his partnership deed was aimed at ensuring succession at the firm. Mr Seldon argued that the decision to make him retire at law firm Clarkson Wright and Jakes, which came before the default retirement age was abolished in October, was age discrimination.

However, his appeal was turned down, signalling that fairness between generations was a legitimate aim for employers. The court said that employers needed to give particular consideration to whether a "public interest" was served when telling anyone to retire. Legislation which came into force fully in October stops UK employers from compulsorily retiring workers once they reach the age of 65...Read more here--: BBC News - Employers can force retirement, court ruling suggests