How many people actually work until 67 or 68?

[EstoyRobandoSuCasa]

Neither of my parents could have worked until the (current) state retirement age due to different health issues. Luckily, they were able to retire in their early 60s. And now a family friend has just retired aged 64. His state retirement age is 67, but due to worsening arthritis and the feeling that he's slowing down physically and mentally, he's sure that he couldn't manage another three years.

I accept that this country is experiencing a democratic time bomb due to the ageing population, but just because the Treasury needs people to work longer, it doesn't mean that they'll be able to. I know there are people in their 70s and older who are still fit for work and that some of them enjoy working, but I think they're in the minority.

I think people in our 40s, 50s and early 60s now will be in much better health for longer when we reach the current retirement age. Which I’m guessing will rise before I’m able to retire.

Not necessarily. A lot of people in their 50s have chronic conditions. At work, we've got - limited mobility after a stroke, colitis, diabetes, cancer (in remission) and that's just the ones I know about. A couple of generations ago, the stroke and cancer people would probably be dead rather than back at work, as possibly would the guy with a congenital cardiac condition. And some of the younger ones, I want to tell them they should get to the gym now to lose the weight, but it's not my place to do so.

It certainly isn't your place to do so. I gained a lot of weight after being prescribed a significant dose of steroids to treat a chronic condition - largely to keep me well enough to be able to work.

Two people I know well gained weight after being prescribed antidepressants - again, partly to keep them well enough to work

I think we need to look far more closely as a nation at the role prescribing has played in weight gain.

I think we need to look far more closely as a nation at the role prescribing has played in weight gain.

We certainly need to look at the over subscribing of anti depressants. However, if anyone suggests walking, exercise, eating healthier, limiting your screentime, they are met with anguished cries of "I'd be dead without my meds!"

I do all those things (well exercise I can only do so far as my health allows) and yet thanks to steroids I am large now. I was slim my whole life until they were prescribed.

It's just much more comfortable to blame individuals than dig properly into systemic causes

@3point5 I think this is true re systemic impact on health and wellbeing.

This thread is fascinating and people's reasons for working right up to retirement (and beyond) vary so much. I'm leaving my relationship after 25 years together and am starting anew. I'm walking away with very little as I have the capacity to begin again and my ex, the father of our DC, does not due to ill health. I'd not see him homeless or unable to house our DC, despite my belief that he is the cause of the breakdown of our relationship. Hence I'm labouring on, although, if we stayed together, I could retire or go very, very part time in 3 years.

I'm 62 and still have a 10 year mortgage. I'll be working until my early 70s). I hope that will still give me 15-20 years of retirement.

Great idea, I would do this

@3point5 if you'd read my post, I specifically said antidepressants not steroids.