Stories

Mon, 25 May 2026

Mon, 25 May 2026 'I don't think I'll ever be able to retire'

People in their 70s say they cannot afford to quit their jobs, but others say work keeps them young.
Many older workers are continuing to work into their 70s due to financial necessity, rather than choice. Mandy Kemp, a 70-year-old practice manager from Kent, for example, works three days a week because her state pension alone cannot cover her living costs and rent. According to Dr Andrea Barry of the Centre for Ageing Better, this trend is not surprising given that people are living longer and the state pension age has increased. However, women are disproportionately affected due to their higher likelihood of having part-time jobs without pensions or caring responsibilities. Barry notes that while many older workers want to continue working past retirement age, some have no choice but to do so due to financial pressures, lack of savings, and rising living costs. Working can be beneficial for older people's health and wellbeing, as it keeps them active and socially connected. Examples of older workers who enjoy their jobs include Jackie Haynes, an 80-year-old activity coordinator at a care home in Sussex, and Mike Sandford, a 78-year-old mechanical design engineer from Surrey, who says he needs to stay mentally stimulated or else he will be bored out of his mind.