A new survey published by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), entitled 'Employee Outlook: focus on the ageing workforce', has found that four in 10 (41%) employees plan to work beyond the state retirement age, compared to 29% of the 2,000 respondents who don't. The survey also shows that many people are uncertain, with 25% saying they don't know either way.

The survey, which helped inform the CIPD response to the government consultation on its plans to phase out the Default Retirement Age (DRA) by October 2011, finds that nearly half of respondents are against the current right of employers to retire employees once they reach their 65th birthday. Almost half (44%) oppose this law, which was introduced in 2006 as part of the Age Regulations and is now incorporated in the Equality Act 2010, while just 25% support the legislation. 25% do not know either way.

Older workers are significantly more likely to disagree with the DRA than younger workers, with nearly six in ten (56%) of those aged 55 and above disagreeing with the legislation, compared to 35% of 18-24 year olds.

Among those employees planning to work beyond the state retirement age, the survey found – not surprisingly given the economic climate and tough situation regarding the future of pensions – that financial reasons are cited by 72% of respondents. This top finding is closely followed by people’s needs and aspirations to continue using their skills and experience (47%), benefit from social interaction in the workplace (41%) and for self-esteem (34%).