The fruits of continuing to labour into old age
sir – Joe Shute (Features, November 7) highlights the growing number of retirees deciding to “unretire”.
We know that good work is good for you. While it helps financially, people also work for the social gains and the sense of purpose that they derive from employment.
We also know that many people struggle with the transition into retirement. Recent research shows that one in five adults who retired in the past five years admitted to finding it difficult.
There are about one million people aged 50-64 out of work in Britain who say that they would like to be in employment. These are individuals pushed out of work by things such as ill-health, caring responsibilities or redundancy.
We must ensure that retired people have a route back into employment. The current system is failing far too many.
Jemma Mouland
Senior Programme Manager, Centre for Ageing Better London EC1
sir – At the age of 66 I renewed my PCV licence, and am now in my sixth year as a London bus driver.
I meet people, enjoy the camaraderie of my colleagues, am not stressed by the traffic and, when crossing Waterloo Bridge, regard myself as a tourist who is paid for it.
Another driver is four years my senior and we do not plan to give up yet – subject to passing the annual medical, of course.
Peter Clark
Canterbury, Kent