Age Concern spokesperson Helen Spinney has revealed that a number of people come to realise that their retirement income is not as much as they had expected it to be and so continue to work past the state pension age, which is currently 60 for women and 65 for men.

She added that reasons vary on a case-by-case basis and that some people decide to continue their work because they enjoy their jobs.

However, Ms Spinney continued: “Certainly we know that a lot of people reach retirement and are very shocked at how small their income is.”

“That could be a factor in people returning to work after they have retired,” she added.

Recent research from thsismoney.co.uk revealed that number of older people living in poverty in the UK rose during 2006 with average income from occupational pension schemes being £146 per household compared to £150 the previous year.

Find out more about retirement planning and how to get pension advice

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