Originally Posted by JohnBurke

Raising the mandatory retirement age for airlines does not force a choice, and there are more than two options.

Nothing forces you, or anyone else to work longer. Retiring doesn't "give up seniority." There is zero expectation of retaining seniority when you leave an airline: retirement is the end of seniority, regardless of whether you take an early retirement, get an extension from Congress, or the status quo remains. Seniority has no validity after retirement, so when you leave, whenever you leave, you're giving nothing up.

Your pay increases work on longevity, not seniority. You lose no pay.

The ONLY benefits of seniority are bidding choices, whether for seats, equipments, bases, or lines. None of that is relevant after you leave the company, so "giving it up" means nothing. You retire when you retire, at whatever seniority you hold, and that's it. It's gone. If you've stuck around to 65, unless you're a recent hire, then you have in most cases the seniority to get what you want; a few more or less in number makes little difference, and if you were planning to work until 65 and leave, then do it. There's no gun to your head.

As for choices, you can do whatever you want. Leave early. Leave between 65 and 67. Leave at 65. Stay beyond 67 as an instructor. Move to management. Have a taro sandwich. Write letters to your dead pet. Whatever floats your fancy. You're forced to do none of those things.