AS a totally confused 51 year old man I hope one of the Advertiser's many readers can enlighten me.

If I try for a new job most firms tell me I'm too old.

The Government is telling me that I have to work on another 19 years to qualify for a pension at 70.

In other words, if I like my job or not, I'm stuck with it for nearly two decades.

The point is, if I'm too old for new work now what will I be like at 65-70?

Why can't the retirement age be reduced to 60 for everyone, thereby releasing thousands of jobs to the unemployed and using the benefits saved to pay the extra pension costs?

G SCOTT

Swindon