The Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) (1967)

When this law was first passed, it specified the protected age range of 40 to 70. Anyone younger than 40 or older than 70 was not covered for age discrimination in the workplace. Amendments were made a few years later that removed the upper limit. Today, the law bans employment discrimination based on age if the employee is 40 years old or older. Remedies under this law are the same as under the Civil Rights Act. They include reinstatement, back pay, front pay, and payment for benefits in arrears. Some exceptions to the “unlimited” upper age exist. One example is the rule that airline pilots may not fly commercial airplanes after the age of 65. For more information, see www.eeoc.gov/laws/statutes/adea.cfm.