The purpose of this law is to protect the rights of older workers and prevent employers from using the attractive temptation of a termination agreement to induce dismissed employees to sign their rights. Unfortunately, Congress did not pass such a law to protect laid-off employees under the age of 40. Severance pay should not begin until agreements have been signed and returned, and all applicable withdrawal periods. Employers must give workers under the age of 40 a reasonable period of time to sign a severance pay agreement. However, it is difficult to determine what is reasonable. Workers who feel compelled to sign a termination agreement immediately should review the terms and try to understand why the employer is so anxious to get a signed agreement. .