Q&A: Retirement rules and you

Football manager Sir Alex Ferguson is still working aged 69

The UK government has scrapped the default retirement age of 65 from October 2011.

Campaigners have welcomed the move, which would mean that employers could no longer dismiss staff just because they reached the age of 65.

But some businesses say that it would add to employers' costs and make it hard to get rid of staff who were past their best.

So what do the changes mean for you?

Can I still retire at 65?

Will this affect the state pension?

Will older people simply block jobs for youngsters?

As an employer, is it impossible for me to get rid of somebody too old for the role?

Surely people cannot keep working forever in some jobs?

What else needs to be ironed out?