Retirement Age

The retirement age has recently been upped from 60 to 65 years old.  In a statement by the FAA following this rule change they stated that they welcome the legislation signed into law by the President that allows U.S. commercial pilots to fly until age 65. The determined efforts of Congress have averted a lengthy federal rule making process while enabling some of our nation’s most experienced pilots to continue flying.  The "Age 60 rule" had been in effect since 1959, when it required pilots to retire on their 60th birthday.  Since then, modern medicine has allowed for longer lives and better quality of life for those older citizens.
 

 The retirement limitations placed down by the FAA, although I understand their reasoning, safety, it seems that there are better methods and ways to determine if someone should retire.  One method could be through the AME during each pilot's medical's.  Or by use of one-on-one testing methods using FAA check airmen or designated examiners.  Especially since each person is very different and retirement should be a much more person by person basis. 

Who knows what the retirement age will be in the future by the time we get to that point in our lives.  It may be more of a testing requirement basis or something other than an age, only time will tell.  Hopefully it will be something more substantial than only an age however.