Delaying retirement for women could 'improve cognition and physical health'

Continuing to work into your 60s may provide unexpected health improvements, particularly for single women. With the impending increase in the state pension age, new research has shed light on the potential health advantages of extended employment.

The findings come the , which analysed the impact of women in the 2010s who had to stay in work years past their planned retirement when their state pension age was increased from 60 to 65.

These women had improved cognition, lower rates of physical disability and a faster walking speed, researchers found. Single women, in particular, saw some major benefits.

The researchers pointed out: "This suggests that it is those who live alone, who are more likely to see a drop in social interactions upon retirement, who gained the most from the stimulation of work, and that these benefits are not confined to jobs typically seen as cognitively demanding."

Women with sedentary roles, such as office workers, saw slower walking speeds and those with physical work saw higher rate so improved mobility.

This research arose as the government prepares to lift the state pension age next year.

Currently, the pension can be claimed from age 66 but could climb to 67 as early as next April.

David Sturrock, Associate Director at the Institute for Fiscal Studies and contributor to the research noted: "As a result, many people face a longer working life.

"Our research shows that paid work can help to maintain cognitive functioning and physical mobility. This is particularly true for single women and those whose jobs involve some amount of movement. However, not all work is beneficial, with sedentary jobs being actively harmful for physical mobility. Whether longer working is good for health also depends on what people will do once they retire - if the government wants to promote health at older ages then encouraging social interaction and physical exercise among retirees would also be beneficial."

Acknowledging limitations, the researchers noted their study honed in on the short-term effects of the state pension age revision for women in the 2010s.

Additionally, those that didn't stay in employment when their state pension age changed faced financial difficulties and may have experienced health issues as a result.

The team is calling for policymakers to foster both social engagement and physical activities among retirees, and to boost types of employment that increase wellbeing in latter years.