Regulations and support information

Current Government regulations and protection for full time workers over 65

The Government is committed to encouraging older workers to keep going as long as they wish. Earlier this year the Dept. WPP set out their recommendations:

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/employment-boost-for-older-workers

 

You can’t be forced to retire at any particular age unless it is specifically specified in law, like the Fire Service.  Some jobs carry a compulsory physical requirement, as in the construction business or deep sea diving, but the general rule is, keep going as long as you can do the job.

https://www.gov.uk/working-retirement-pension-age

 

Do check – state pension qualifying ages are changing

https://www.gov.uk/state-pension-age

 

this is the basic deal

https://www.gov.uk/state-pension

 

if you feel you may have been wrongfully treated by an employer in this, you can take the case to an employment tribunal

https://www.gov.uk/employment-tribunals

 

Tax and National Insurance after 65

Employers will continue to make NI payments for employees working past pension age, but employees do not. This can mean an immediate pay rise for those working on. Employers won’t mind either – it means less paperwork in accounts. If you want to reduce your hours you may find your employer gets a saving too – you could earn close to £700/month before they have to pay any NI at all:

https://www.gov.uk/national-insurance-rates-letters

 

Either way, once you pass state pension age, your contributions are no longer longer required:

https://www.gov.uk/tax-national-insurance-after-state-pension-age/stopping-paying-national-insurance

https://www.gov.uk/tax-national-insurance-after-state-pension-age/agerelated-tax-allowances

 

The benefits of postponing drawing state pension

Once you’re 4 months away from State Pension age, you can defer claiming it, which can provide you with a larger pension when you do.

Your State Pension will increase every week you defer, as long as you defer for at least 9 weeks.

If you reached State Pension age on or after 6 April 2016:

Your State Pension increases by the equivalent of 1% for every 9 weeks you defer. This works out as just under 5.8% for every full year. The extra amount is paid with your regular State Pension payment.

Example:

You get £159.55 a week (the current full State Pension). This works out as £8,296.60 a year.

By deferring for one year, you’ll get an extra £479 a year (just under 5.8% of £8,296.60).

This example assumes there is no annual increase in the State Pension. If there is an annual increase, the amount you could get could be larger.

If you reached State Pension age before 6 April 2016:

You can take your extra State Pension as either higher weekly payments or a one-off lump sum. You get 3 months from when you make your claim to decide how you want to take your extra State Pension.

Higher weekly payments

Your State Pension will increase every week you defer, as long as you defer for at least 5 weeks.

Your State Pension increases by the equivalent of 1% for every 5 weeks you defer. This works out as 10.4% for every full year.

The extra amount is paid with your regular State Pension payment.

Example:

 

You get £122.30 a week (the current basic State Pension). This works out as £6,359.60 a year.

By deferring for one year, you’ll get an extra £661 a year (10.4% of £6,359.60).

This example assumes there is no annual increase in the State Pension. If there is an annual increase, the amount you could get could be larger.

 

Lump sum payment

You can get a one-off lump sum payment if you defer claiming your State Pension for at least 12 months in a row. This will include interest of 2% above the Bank of England base rate

Find out more:

https://www.gov.uk/deferring-state-pension/what-you-get

 

 

C.V. production advice and services

When applying for a job at any age, your cv is the first point of contact with whoever may actually give you the job. It pays to think it through, plan it and get it right. You never get a second chance to make a first impression. Here are some basic tips:

• Keep it relevant
• Keep it concise
• Ask yourself "So what?"
• Keep it factual
• List achievements rather than replicating a job description
• Talk positively and enthusiastically - use empowering words like "Responsible for", "Ensured" etc
• Don’t have false modesty - if you are proud of what you have achieved get it on your CV
• Don’t presume people know what you have done - spell it out
• There are no hard and fast rules. Except one: a CV is a sales pitch. So make sure it doesn’t sell you short.

 

Live Career offer comprehensive advice and 20 complete templates you can follow to create your own cv.

https://www.livecareer.co.uk/templates/cv/production

 

The BBC Academy provide a course for media people, with a supporting podcast:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/academy/production/article/art20130702112136472

 

Employment Law and the over 65s

You don’t have to retire at 65 if you don’t wish to.

Older workers can voluntarily retire at a time they choose and draw any occupational pension they are entitled to.

However, employers cannot force employees to retire or set a retirement age unless it can be objectively justified as what the law terms 'a proportionate means of achieving a legitimate aim'.

 

You’ll find further, comprehensive details on the Government’s Acas website

http://www.acas.org.uk/index.aspx?articleid=3203