The traditional concept of retirement and working age is facing a significant shift. As people live longer and pension ages rise, the idea of a fixed working age bracket is becoming increasingly irrelevant.

In OECD countries, an average of 23% of people aged 65-69 are still working, highlighting the need for a more dynamic approach to defining working life.

Writing in The Conversation last week, Sajia Ferdous argues that ‘working age’ as a measure fails to take in the complexities of people’s lives.

This trend is not new, though, and some have been advocating for a more age-agnostic approach to work for years. In June 2017, in a guest post on this blog, Tim Drake argued that the gig economy presents a unique opportunity for Baby Boomers – those born between 1946 to 1964 during the mid-20th century baby boom – to continue working on their own terms, leveraging their skills and experience to remain economically active.

Drake noted that many Boomers are embracing the gig economy as a way to stay engaged, active, and fulfilled, often pursuing work that aligns with their passions and interests.

As a 1950s boomer myself, I’ve seen firsthand how the concept of retirement and working age has evolved over time. Growing up during a time of significant social and economic change, I’ve learned to be adaptable and open to new opportunities. Indeed, as the government helpfully points out, a forced retirement age of 65 no longer exists in the UK: now, you can keep working past your State Pension age for as long as you want to.

For me, the gig economy represents a welcome opportunity to continue working on my own terms, leveraging my skills and experience to stay engaged, relevant, and fulfilled. This non-traditional approach to work in the current decade has allowed me to navigate the shifting sands of opportunity with greater flexibility, autonomy, and confidence.

However, as Drake also pointed out, ageism remains a significant barrier for many older workers, both men and women. Despite their experience and skills, many Boomers face discrimination and bias in the job market, making it difficult for them to secure traditional employment.

According to the charity Age UK, ageism is the most widespread form of discrimination in the UK. Half of people aged over 50 in England experienced age discrimination in the past year; and, the charity says, at least a third of people hold ageist beliefs, which the World Health Organisation defines as “the stereotypes (how we think), prejudice (how we feel) and discrimination (how we act) towards others or oneself based on age.”

The gig economy offers a way around this, allowing many older workers to create their own opportunities and work on their own terms.

Let’s Take a More Holistic Approach to Work and Productivity

Sajia Ferdous’ article in The Conversation takes this idea a step further, arguing that it’s time to rethink the idea of working age altogether. Rather than focusing solely on chronological age, she says, societies need to adopt a more holistic approach that recognizes the value of all contributions, regardless of age.

This might involve measuring capabilities and abilities, rather than simply relying on age as a proxy for productivity.

By embracing this more dynamic approach, we can create a more age-fluid and inclusive society that values the contributions of all individuals, regardless of their age. As Tim Drake noted, the gig economy is already showing us that older workers can be just as innovative, entrepreneurial, and productive as their younger counterparts.

As we’ve seen, the traditional concept of retirement and working age is no longer relevant in today’s society. I’d even argue that it’s no longer fit for purpose.

It’s time for us to rethink our approach to work and age, and to create a more inclusive and dynamic society that values the contributions of all individuals, regardless of their age. By doing so, we can unlock the potential of older workers, promote age diversity, and build a more sustainable and equitable future for all.

The question is, what will it take for us to make this vision a reality?