TAEN -The Age and Employment Network, formerly known as the Third Age Employment Network was started in 1998 as a not-for-profit enterprise and registered charity to find ways of making the labour market operate more effectively for people in mid- and later life. It is sponsored by and co-located with Help the Aged. Its members now include over 250 organisations, made up of employers, training providers, colleges, recruitment and employment agencies, voluntary and community organisations, public agencies at national, regional and local level, individuals, unions, employment lawyers, think tanks and others. Drawing on their experience, TAEN is able to play an influential part in all relevant public policy work.

In this article I look first of all back over the changes that have taken place in the eight years that TAEN has been operating. I then look at some of the major themes that must underpin plans for extending working life and for changing the pattern of retirement.