This guide provides answers to the most-often asked questions about age discrimination. Section 1 discusses the purposes of the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), including who is protected, what is unlawful, and what is permitted. Section 2 describes discriminatory actions prohibited by the ADEA. It covers discrimination in hiring, on the job, and in employee benefits and discriminatory terminations. Section 3 addresses exceptions to the ADEA. Section 4 explains how to establish or prove age discrimination. Examples are provided that illustrate how the ADEA has been applied in certain cases. Section 5 discusses the procedures and deadlines an individual must follow to make the federal law work for him or her. Section 6 focuses on the ADEA in federal employment. Addresses of Equal Employment Opportunity Commission field offices and a 4-page checklist for employers to help them assess their company's practices and policies are provided. (YLB)