• An employer needs to contribute 4 percentage points less to the Central Provident Fund of a 50-year-old worker, compared to the contribution for a younger worker. That means savings of about $200 per month.
• An older worker is more mature and probably wiser.
• An older worker is generally more conscientious.
• Older workers are more willing to accept a lower salary for doing the same job.
• An older worker is more willing to work longer hours.
• An older worker is more willing to work overtime if needed.
• An older worker knows what it is like to be retrenched and is thus more committed to his job.
• Older workers have better people skills as they are more patient.
• Older workers are more experienced in handling emergencies.
• Considering the official retirement age of 62, a 52-year-old worker still has 10 years to go - more than enough to contribute to the company and short enough to make way for younger colleagues.

Ong Kok Lam

This article was first published in The Straits Times.