Workers 'want retirement at 65'

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The majority of people in Scotland do not want to work past the age of 65, a study has shown.

Help the Aged Scotland said 80% of adults questioned did not intend to work beyond the state pension age.

The findings come despite forthcoming legislation enabling people to keep their jobs for longer.

The charity cautioned the 80% not wanting to work beyond state pension age to realise that the future may not be as rosy as they imagine.

Help the Aged questioned 1,000 adults across the UK last week.

A couple of extra years may be required to make their retirement something approaching what they envisage Lindsay ScottHelp the Aged Scotland

More than half of those were unaware that the UK Government had passed new laws to stop age discrimination, coming into force on 1 October.

Of those who did want to work past 65, many simply did not believe bosses would hire them once they reached 65 despite the legislation.

Help the Aged in Scotland warned however that "the vast majority" of adults would need to put in a few extra years in order to make ends meet in retirement.

This would require a change of attitude on the part of both workers and employers, according to the charity.

Work satisfaction

Spokeswoman Lindsay Scott said: "Just because someone has reached a certain age, it doesn't mean they aren't fit for work or can't even enjoy it, and with the onset of new age regulations in a few days time, ageist attitudes and practices at work will become not just outdated, but illegal.

"The health of the UK economy depends on older workers, so it really is time that age was celebrated as an asset instead of treated as a liability as it is by too many employers."

She went on: "It is important that the 80% of Scottish adults who have no intention of working beyond the state pension age realise that the future may not turn out to be as rosy as they imagine and get used to the fact that a couple of extra years may be required to make their retirement something approaching what they envisage."

The poll found that 28% of those wanting to work past 65 were keen to do so because they enjoyed their job.

Just 17% stated that they needed to carry on working for financial reasons, while a quarter said they felt working after 65 gave them a sense of purpose in life.