Why is it that many employees who are still healthy, capable and willing to continue working are forced to retire when they reach pensionable age? Has ever society considered whether such a law is discriminatory when it is obliging persons to cease to contribute to the good of society and to the well-being of oneself simply because one has reached the age of retirement?

Most important decisions in life are taken freely and without compulsion at an age that is suitable and when one feels fit, such as furthering one’s education, looking for employment and taking one’s status in society. It is queer, therefore, how such an important juncture in one’s life as retirement is not being left to the individual to decide. Though one is aware when retirement age is approaching one is in no way being prepared to face such a vacuum in one’s life. Some people pass through periods of depression and feelings of estrangement. Most pensioners feel cheated and somehow discarded by society not because they are incapable or disabled but simply because they have reached a specific age that has been decided by the powers that be. Though it is true that in most societies pensionable age is being increased and here in Malta it is being gradually extended to the age of 65, there are still many employees who are not being allowed to continue working even, at least, till they are 65.

I think that forcing one to cease to work, even though one is still healthy, capable and willing, is unjust. It would be a healthy exercise to study how forced retirement affects pensioners both mentally and physically. As an inclusive society we should not allow such a latent discrimination pass by without giving it its due consideration.