고령화사회와 정년제도, ‘고용상 연령차별금지 및 고령자고용촉진에 관한 법률’에 대하여

This study addresses the necessity of extending the retirement age and reforming related systems to mitigate the economic and social challenges of rapid population aging. Declining workforce participation and slower economic growth underscore the importance of policies promoting older worker employment and gradual retirement age extensions. In South Korea, the mandatory retirement age of 60 is set by the “Act on Prohibition of Age Discrimination in Employment and Promotion of Employment for Older Persons,” with ongoing discussions about phased extensions. The study examines international practices, highlighting the abolition of mandatory retirement in countries like the United States and New Zealand, and Japan’s adoption of measures extending retirement to 65 or introducing continuous employment systems. These strategies help stabilize older worker employment and counterbalance demographic shifts. While extending the retirement age can reduce income gaps and address pension eligibility mismatches, challenges such as increased labor costs and youth employment concerns necessitate supportive policies, including tax incentives and wage peak systems. The study emphasizes that such measures must balance employment security for older workers with corporate sustainability. Through analysis of key legal precedents, this research provides frameworks to assess the rationality of wage differentiation and highlights the need for societal consensus and legal legitimacy to ensure fair implementation of retirement-related policies. It concludes by advocating for a balanced, inclusive approach that accommodates diverse interests while fostering sustainable labor market reforms.