Why do universities have mandatory retirement at 65?

Most do not. Which university or universities are you referring to?

@SavoirFaire Non specific. Maybe Alberta universities. Like the university of Alberta. Not sure if they have it.

The University of Alberta used to have mandatory retirement, but they eliminated it in 2007. In any case, the reason some universities used to have it was to save money (older professors usually make more) and to make jobs available to younger academics. It’s no good graduating a group of PhD students if no jobs are available because everyone is holding on to their position until the day they die. Plus, universities have an interest in hiring talented academics early in their career and getting their work associated with the university. Not having any positions to offer gets in the way of that. Nevertheless, it has been largely agreed that mandatory retirement is discriminatory, so most universities have gotten rid of it.

I don’t think this happens much anymore. It’s usually the exception and not the rule now. My father in law taught well after 65 after he retired officially but was always asked back to continue both here and on the continent.

@SavoirFaire – and toss in he additional cost of health insurance and other benefits for older people, and the university has an incentive to save money by having the post-65 crowd retire.

Besides, retired professors are often grated the title professor emeritus by their university and are often invited back to hold special classes, give lectures, etc.

The obvious, though non-PC answer, is that many places have mandatory retirement because they think that beyond a certain age, a person will not be productive and may not be inclined to leave on his own.

@RedDeerGuy1, I don’t know about Canadian law. In the U.S., mandatory retirement is generally prohibited under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act. For most workers, forced retirement based on age is wrongful termination. This doesn’t mean that people over-65 can’t be terminated for other reasons, but it’s unlawful to have a standard, age-based policy.

Unless you are a airline pilot.

Normally I would be totally fine with that. Retiring at 65 seems pretty great. But you would think pilots are swimming in cash. They aren’t.

Do you know that your captain is only paid for time in the air.

I had this happen on a trip to Europe. A part on the plane needed to be replaced and that took a few hours…. THE CABIN CREW WAS NOT PAID FOR THAT TIME!!!!!

A ex-mod here husband flies for a major airline and I have heard her rants.