I agree. Much as I've been maligned for suggesting that minimum age requirements for employment infringe on the liberty of both the young teens/pre-teens seeking employment and the employers who wouldn't mind giving these kids a chance to test the waters, it's undeniably a fact. Same goes for mandatory retirement, as well as incentivizing retirement at a certain age through Social Security and Medicare. I don't take issue with helping those in their twilight years if they want it, but just like anything else: if you tax and restrict it, you get less of it, and if you subsidize it, you get more of it. Older people are uniquely positioned to be in control of their lives because of the enormous wisdom of their years. That should be acknowledged and encouraged, like you said @lauralemons. They shouldn't be treated like they're helpless.