The over-50s need to be celebrated for their contribution to society.
That is the opinion of Janet Connor, managing direct of insurer RIAS, who has claimed that older people are "positive givers".
"What we need to do is celebrate the over-50s and what they are achieving and also recognise them as individuals," she said.
Former Blue Peter presenter Peter Duncan expressed similar views, noting that as people get older they often "want to take charge of their lives a bit more" and still have plenty of avenues of employment open to them.
Earlier this year the government launched a strategy known as "Building a Society for All Ages", aimed at helping Britain prepare for an ageing society.
One consequence of the strategy is that a review of the Default Retirement Age will be brought forward and take place in 2010.
Current regulations mean that all staff can be required by employers to retire at 65 regardless of their circumstances.
By Tom Papworth 
