SIR – Britain is near the bottom of the world league in looking after its pensioners, making them work longer and paying them less once they retire. The UK even ranks below such economic backwaters at Turkey and Poland.
According to the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operative and Development) these two countries allow men to retire at the age of 60 and receive pensions as per cent of average pay of 87.2 and 56.9 respectively, with Britain at a lowly 37.1.
The French have been demonstrating in their thousands on the streets of Paris after being told they will soon have to wait until they are 62 before receiving their pension.
Aren’t they the lucky ones, for the state pension age for men in the UK is set to rise from 65 to 66 from 2016 – nearly a decade earlier than the last Government was planning.
“Growing old is like being increasingly penalised for a crime you haven’t committed” (Anthony Powell, novelist).
D Rhodes, Croscombe Walk, Bradford
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article