Back to the Victorian days?

international | worker & community struggles and protests | other press Monday July 25, 2005 13:38 by DV8

Proposal made to raise UK retirement age

Proposal made to raise UK retirement age
Last updated: 25-07-05, 10:32

People in Britain will be forced to work until 67 before they can collect a state pension under new proposals from the Institute of Public Policy Research.

The influential think-tank says the retirement age should be raised as people are living longer. but it has warned that plans to reform the pensions system could collapse because workers will refuse to stay on longer.

It found people do not actually expect to live longer and that the 65 retirement age is still seen as sacred.

"There is a consensus among pensions experts that increased life expectancy will make it necessary for us to work longer," report author Peter Robinson said.

"Our research shows that the public are not convinced, and distrust the evidence from employers, the financial services industry and government, basing their expectations on the experiences of friends and family.

"This distrust means it is vital that the Government achieve its objective of a popular consensus for pension reform."

Increasing longevity is playing a large part in the current £27 billion savings gap.

© 2005 ireland.com