My question involves employment and labor law for the state of: Massachusetts.

I am currently a salaried employee of a large Massachusetts employer. Our incentive compensation program is "an important part of our overall compensation plan" and is payable on a prorated basis to "Active and Retired" employees.

I am retiring at age 51 and even though I worked at the company and contributed to its success for the first 6 months of this year, they are claiming that I am not of their retirement age of 55; therefore, I will not receive a bonus for my 6 months of employment. I am a manager and did give a prorated bonus to an employee earlier this year that retired at age 62 last July. I'm sure he was pleasantly surprised by this payment 9 months after he left the company.

Am I missing something, or is there a bit of age discrimination in this policy being that if I was 55 I would be "entitled" to the bonus money? This is not a small amount as it would be approximately 10% of my annual salary.

My question is do I have a valid concern here and should I address the issue with my senior manager, HR or employee relations.

Thanks