Unimaginable

The Daily Telegraph tells us that millions of Britains could be forced to work until they are 75. Those affected are the under 55s.

The current state pension age is 65 for men and 60 for women. That is due to rise to 66 for both sexes by 2020 and to 67 between 2026 and 2028.After that it will be linked to life expectancy.

It is estimated that the retirement age will have to rise to 69 by the late 2040s and again to 70 by the early 2060s.

One pension provider claims that today's workforce will have to work until they are 81 to enjoy the same standard of living as their parents - in other words, work until you drop.  

We all understand the problem, nobody expected us to live as long as we do and so the pension pot is rapidly running dry. At the same time there are implications for having such an ageing workforce.

Pam and I and everyone else we know who is retired say that we simply do not have the energy to work any more. The thought of getting up in the morning, travelling to work, putting in a full day and then returning home gives me shudders.

Equally important, working longer robs young people of opportunities - finding work in the first place and then progressing. Having to wait for someone to die before you can achieve promotion is not a nice prospect.