According to the California Employment Development Department, there are several key laws that protect individuals over 40 from age discrimination. This is in an effort to provide fair opportunities to people of all ages. 

The federal law is Age Discrimination in Employment Act. This law prohibits jobs from requiring employers to retire at a certain age, or use age as a factor in hiring, promoting or firing employees.

The state law is Fair Employment and Housing Act. This law provides broad liability for anyone involved in discrimination. Settlement in FEHA claims are very complex and should be handled by an attorney.