Should retirement be compulsory or vouluntary? : an overview of the attitudes, practices, and arguments related to mandatory retirement

This thesis is concerned with the potential social consequences of a changed policy on mandatory retirement. The provision in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms for the abolition of age discrimination, as well as an indication of the Government of Canada that it intends to pass legislation banning compulsory retirement, necessitate that the implications of an end to fixed-age retirement be explored. Social consequences were considered by reviewing attitudes toward retirement, practices of retirement, and the arguments for and against mandatory retirement Concerning attitudes toward retirement and socioeconomic status, it was found that those who want to work beyond the normal age of retirement have higher education levels and typically work in professional, executive, and white collar jobs. For gender, it was revealed that women have less favourable attitudes toward retirement than men. With respect to practices of retirement, those who retire later than the normal age of retirement tend to be of higher socioeconomic status, male, and among women, single as opposed to married. After reviewing the arguments for and against mandatory retirement, it was concluded that ending forced retirement would not be detrimental to any social group in Canada but rather, would benefit those who wish to work beyond age 65 in order to secure an adequate income or to continue a satisfying career. Abolishing fixed-age retirement would mean an end to discrimination based on age and an affirmation of individual rights.Arts, Faculty ofSociology, Department ofGraduat