The total number of people in work has gone up by 221,000 over the past year.  Of these, 81,000 are  over state pension age – taking the total number of people over state pension age who are working to 1.205 million – an employment rate for the age group of 11%.  Women over state pension age have accounted for three quarters of the total increase (62,000) in the number over state pension age.

Commenting on the figures, Patrick Grattan, the Chief Executive of TAEN – the Age and Employment Network, said:

“It’s a sure sign of the times that the number of state pensioners in paid jobs is continuing to rise.  They now account for close to 40% of the increase in the number of people in paid work over the past year. 

“The increase has been greatest amongst women pensioners and this reflects the economic disadvantage so many of them suffer from as they reach later life.  Amongst the causes are:

• Job breaks to look after children and grandchildren, or to care for older relatives or friends
• The gender pay gap and low pay associated with part-time work
• The financial impact of divorce
• Poor – or no – occupational and state pension entitlement 
• Lower returns on investment and reduced annuity rates meaning that people who retire today receive less than one-quarter of the pension they would have received 10 years ago.

“All these things, combined with above inflation rises for utilities, council tax and other key items in the cost of living for pensioners, are forcing more and more women to go on working.

"Where that decision reflects an increase in choice and opportunity for older workers – we welcome it.  Unfortunately, all too often that’s simply not the case.”

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