ADEA is the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, which specifically prohibits discrimination of employees based on their age and is designed to protect workers over the age of 40. In addition to governing hiring, promotion and layoff practices, the legislation governs benefits and mandatory retirement. The ADEA applies to employers with 20 or more employees, including state and local governments. It also applies to employment agencies and labor organizations, as well as to the federal government. The ADEA is one of six major laws enforced by the EEOC (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission), an agency of the federal government. The ADEA is different from the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, which prohibits age discrimination in programs and activities which receive federal funds, such as colleges. ADEA also applies to US employees working abroad for American companies. ADEA international says that US citizens working for US employers operating abroad are protected by ADEA except where to do so would violate the laws of that country.