Pigboat is 100% correct. The age 60 rule was an all American invention.
The reasons that all airlines (well nearly all airlines) support the age 60 rule IS TO SAVE MONEY, bottom line!
And with nationally supported airlines it becomes a matter of politics (and economics).
To the young pilots on this thread crying about some poor old (?) captain staying past the age of 60 is going to keep you from advancing; wait until you get in the late 50 and see no reason to retire, except it will be forced on you for economical and political reasons.
Just wait!
(I really agreed with your point of view until I hit 50! Guess what THINGS CHANGE!)
(and to the person that said they would report any pilot over the age of 60 flying in French airspace to cover their ass
and the horse you rode in on
Sorry little boy!