The age discrimination act of 1967 was initiated to help reduce and hopefully to end the practice of discriminating against workers who are between the ages of 40-70. Even back in the 60's there were workers still raising families who were forced out of jobs or denied promotions based only on their age. Since many people are productive well into their 70's and many are still raising children and/or grand children, work opportunities are extremely important for this age group. Benefits that have been accrued while the worker has been employed with a particular company are also important but they too are sometimes reduced or denied. It does still happen today. Maybe not at the rate it once did but thousands of complaints are registered each year.