Don't forget proximity to eligibility to the retiree medical benefit. If you are close to eligible, you will be a target. Why pay for that if they don't have to. Large layoff within DePuy last year and almost all affected had been with the company for 15+ years or were over 50 yrs old. Got 'exceeds expectations' every year, but I was 6 months from retiree medical eligibility so out I went. Looks like I am also on a 'do not re-hire' list, because I have applied for several openings (some identical to my prior role) without so much as a reply. This has got to be the most ageist organization ever.