I was watching today on BBC Breakfast TV Lady Prosser, deputy chairman  of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, talking about how people should be allowed to work beyond the age of 65 and with more flexible hours.  I've often thought that the choice that older people have is inimical – of continuing to work full-tilt at or stopping completely very suddenly.  It can sometimes seem like a choice between staying on the treadmill, with consequences for health and family life, and a sudden stop, with a major drop in income as well as self-esteem and respect, at a time when workers have still much to offer.

With the disconnection of pensions from “final salary” there are many disadvantages, but one advantage is that it's now possible to wind down gradually, Older workers may wish to concentrate on one aspect of their career which appears more rewarding, to take more time for family or leisure, or even to change direction completely, perhaps to apply lifetime skills to a different or more worthwhile sector such as charity or voluntary work.

Allowing older workers to have options in flexible working enables society to take advantage of their skills and experience while giving them the kind of work-life balance that will set them up more appropriately for later life. On the other hand, if workers are keen to and able to continue working, why should they be forced into retirement at an arbitrary age? Many workers don't want or need to retire at 65, and are of huge value in the workforce.  In a survey by the commission of 1,500 over-50s, 62% of women and 59% of men said they wanted to continue working beyond pension age. It should be their choice.