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 don’t really know about any other pension schemes @GloriousGiftBag. I think that police and fire were the only ones to retain an earlier normal pension age in the 2015 reforms. And I think that’s because both jobs have fitness tests which if you don’t meet ultimately you can be dismissed for not meeting them. Whereas the other professions even though physical dont have that sanction in place?

I was offered redundancy at 58.Worked in retail. The branch I worked in were closing down parts of the store that were not cost effective.After working for the same company for 14 yrs. Experiencing how staff were treated.I decided to take the redundancy all £7,000!

As we were moving home,I thought it would be a new start.The house we purchased, required repairs,total redecoration, which kept my husband i busy.

After 2 yrs, I applied for part time vacancies.I naively thought I would be able to secure a part time job in retail, after several + applications without any success.My age was against me.

The Job market has since become even more challenging,with many young people finding employment difficult.

I have since learned that only 16% of employers would employ you if you are 58- 60 or over!

We have been existing on my Husbands pension.I will receive my State pension next month.when I reach 66.Its been a struggle, a big learning curve!

Not many people will be able to work untill 67,not unless you are self employed,work remotely,Have a skill, trade,have investments or wealthy parents.

Most employers would want you to leave by 60, ideally earlier? My Mother & grandmother retired at 60 on a state pension, which was paid at a much lower rate, than now largely due to the fact they would receive their pension at 60.

I cannot imagine working like I had at 58 now! Our daughter is now 32, Son 42, I worry how the younger generations will manage!

My colleague is 65 and thinking of dropping her full time retail job down to maybe 3 days a week.

I don’t think my feet will last until I’m 65….

My retirement age was 66 and i had intended on working until 70, in retail but mobility issues and osteoarthritis meant i couldn't carry on.
I had cut down from full time to 28 hours over 4 days but it was still too much.
We downsized to a park home and love it. I thought i would miss work but i don't think i realised just how worn down with it i was.

Most employers would want you to leave by 60, ideally earlier?

I don't believe that but many on MN like to talk themselves into decrepitude. Retirement was never meant to last for decades - certainly that's not what the State Pension was introduced for.

People often seem to say this but it isn’t true. Office work can be fast paced and highly stressful, demanding mental agility and ability, with heavy demands on staff. Add to that, constantly changing technology and new processes. Also, much office work and middle class jobs are very susceptible to AI. These workers will be forced out of their jobs early and won’t find another one.

I’m 60 and work full time in an office. I’m also seriously ill and disabled, and I’m tired. I’m very vulnerable to being made redundant at my age and scared about the future.

And there's the musculoskeletal problems many office workers suffer with.

Plus vision issues + computers aren’t a good match.

I work in an industry where most people are self employed. I know lots that are well beyond retirement age, mostly part time, but not all. DH is early 60s but plans to work til 67 or beyond.

My dad retired at 65, my mum retired at 60
and died before she was 65

I’m 58 and still working, my DSiS retired at 55 and Dbro at 63. My DF worked to 67. I’m getting tired more easily but hope to continue for at least the next 5 years, I enjoy my job. Plus I can’t afford to retire, the DC are still at uni and costing a lot.

My dad semi retired at 60.As a GP working all hours - a lot of night work cos he was a police surgeon too it was just too much- he was knackered. Did locums until he fully retired at 65 and then became a writer and did a masters degree!

My husband still works ft , albeit from home and he is 67 , he works in a global team and many of them are 60+ , the oldest is 75 .

I moved into nhs community at 40 ….Monday to Friday 9 to 5 service….almost everyone works flexi …most compress their hours….never need to miss kids events at school…..able to fit dentist in the working day then work later…..so glad I left the wards when I did

But that's more than the state pension would bring in each month, and people live on that

I’ll work as long as I can to keep
my workplace private health insurance. The prospect of sole reliance on the NHS terrifies me.

I’m 62 and will have to work until state pension age. Most people I know at my age have retired and are shocked when I admit I’m still working full time. It’s definitely seen as something to be embarrassed about in my circle and indeed my BiL told DH and I that we should be ashamed of ourselves for still having a mortgage at our age. Our situation (not being retired yet because of finances) is a result of bad choices apparently!
I’m surprised at how many people on this thread are still working or know people still working at or beyond state retirement age as it’s very uncommon amongst people I know.

But there’s a difference between wanting to work and having to

My dad was a self employed plumber and absolutely loved his job, he refused to retire and eventually did give up mid 70's then mum got Alzheimer's and 8 years on all he talks about is how much he regrets working so much and now realises how time is far more important and he'll never get that back.

DH and I are planning on retiring as soon as we can. His job is very physical and he's seen what it does to work colleagues in their mid 60's+.

@AnAudacityofinlawsis he wrong though?

@AnAudacityofinlaws
he sounds very rude, how dare he
be proud to keep working, adding to the economy! turn it back

I know loads of people who carry on. I’m almost 64 & intend to carry on past 67 if I still feel fit & healthy.

I do have friends who retired early but I increasingly find them quite boring. Their worlds are so small.

I just started a new full time career aged 60, shifts and commute too. A job I've always wanted to do and I don't have an end date in mind yet. Throughout my life I've always travelled or taken up hobbies and made time for them so the notion of saving all that up for when I retire is alien to me. We all know people who never reach those parked goals.

There’s a few people over 65 working where I am in Amazon. One is 82 so it definitely happens

There is data available of you look

Currently average retirement age is 65 for men and 64 for women - so less than half are getting to 66 but getting close

and around 1 in 10 may have retired before 60

and a large number of Londoners are working in their 70s

many do struggle in because they don’t have much choice

fortunately for the Uk the “population time bomb” isn’t predicted to be severe with quite a slow and steady change after the next couple of years