Poll results: Is it fair to be made to work until you're 68?

27 February 2023 , 15:38

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Most Mirror readers scoffed at the idea of working until they were 68. (Image: Getty Images/Image Source)

The idea of working until you're 68 has been scoffed at by most Mirror readers.

We can all currently claim our state pension at 66 - which for many, is already old enough.

But between 2026 and 2028 this will rise to 67; with the government mulling over plans to raise it even further to 68 - which is sooner than planned.

We asked our readers if it was fair to be made to work until you're 68, with a whopping 1,053 answering a firm 'no'.

Just 128 said yes.

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Delaying retirement age closer to 70 was not due to happen until 2046 - however, a review released in 2017 called for this to be brought forward.

It argued the state pension age should hit 68 between 2037 and 2039 due to people living longer.

But it was reported this change could be brought forward sooner, to as early as 2035.

How does working until you're 68 grab you? (Getty Images)

A Government source was quoted as saying: “There is a real risk that more people will die before they reach retirement and can draw their pensions, given the change in life expectancy projections since 2017 if we were to bring the state pension age increase too far forward.

"That would be especially true of people in the most deprived areas of the country where life expectancy is already lower.”

Before any future changes could become law, Parliament would need to approve the plans.

The Mirror's poll attracted a wide range of comments, here's a flavour of just some of them:

'Yes - people should be ok to work until 68'

Douglas31: 'I think 70 to 75 should be the age of retirement. People are living longer and costing my government a huge amount of money.'

In the middle

Brizzlebabbler: 'It should be up to the individual and very much dependent on the health of the individual. I worked until 67 but that was my choice.'

Kappy: 'Entirely up to the individual. However, an incentive scheme could encourage older workers to remain employed. Can't expect manual labourers to continue beyond what they're able to, such as construction workers. And then there are health considerations.'

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'No - people should be able to retire earlier than 68'

Mrjustathought: 'People should not have to work until they are 68 because then many would not be able to enjoy a well-earned retirement for any length of time'.

Sodapop: 'No we shouldnt have to work until 68. I can see state pensions being replaced with work-based ones before long, and so those who don't work/pay taxes etc won't have a pension!'

Nicolas Monberg: 'When you look at all this from a science point of view, it shows - and the government will know this - that it isn't good for people's health. Plus performance levels will drops. Lots of research has been conducted into this.

'But this is not about science it's about £££s and retirement age will keep being increased until it ends up at a stage no one will receive it.

'People should only be working at this age by choice.'

Whiskey Jack: 'One per cent of the population own more than 99 per cent - and that 99 per cent is going to have to work until they are dead to keep that one per cent in the manner to which they have become accustomed'.

THEHAG: 'I strongly object to the age of retirement being increased at all. To me, retiring at 65 was sufficient; years of hard work to entitle people to rest and enjoy the fruits of their labour, in the latter years of their lives.'

Halifaxlad: 'It is so wrong. I retired when I was 65 and there's nothing wrong with that age. One problem no-one mentions is that if people are made to work to 68 then what do younger people with families do to get a job whilw 'pensioners' - who don't need to work - are taking the jobs the younger people could be doing?'

Redrocket: 'Absolutely immoral and inhumane. The Tory policy of 'work till you drop' and then be too worn out and in ill-health to enjoy one's retirement years (unless you are well off/wealthy) ... talk about 'Work Frees You'. This government is becoming more of a dictatorship by the day!'

Dirkvonroden: 'Only the rich would vote for a higher retirement age, because they will have private pensions. Another Tory scam to rob the poor'.

Renta: 'This government is desperate and determined to stop people getting a pension they worked for. How can anyone in a physical job work properly past 60, never mind 70?'

What do YOU think? Do you agree with the poll results? Let us know in the comments

Paul Speed