Money Box Life: Working for Longer
Summary
More people are working past state pension age, whether by choice for routine and social connection, or out of financial necessity due to insufficient pensions. This episode delves into the diverse motivations and challenges, including the impact of life events on financial security, the gender pension gap, and differing state pension benefits. It also tackles age discrimination in the workplace and the broader economic need to support older workers, highlighting their valuable contributions and the importance of adapting retirement norms.Episode description
The number of people working past retirement age is growing. New analysis of tax data found a 12% rise over the past five years. It was carried out by the specialist employment law firm, Littler, which says official estimates for the last financial year show 2.1 million workers and self-employed people are over state pension age. For some people carrying on working is a positive choice. They enjoy the routine, like the social side, and of course the money but for others it’s much more about necessity, when pensions alone not stretching far enough.
But, how flexible are employers when it comes to older workers and what are the tax implications of collecting your state or private pension while still working?
To talk it all through Felicity Hannah is joined by Zoe Alexander, Director of Policy at Pensions UK, Morgan Vine, Director of Policy at charity Independent Age and Julie Dennis, Head of Inclusive Workplace Strategy at ACAS.
Presenter: Felicity Hannah Producer: Sarah Rogers Editor: Jess Quayle Senior Editor: Sara Wadeson
(This episode was first broadcast on Wednesday the 28th of January 2026)