Age groups welcome proposals on flexible retirement

Support groups for elderly people have welcomed proposals to offer bigger state pensions to people who delay their retirement.

The National Pensions Board has recommended that workers who forego their state pension at the age of 65 be given a one-third-higher payment when they reach the age of 70.

Paul Murray of Age Action Ireland said the proposal was very welcome as it gave more choice to older people, but some questions still had to be answered.

"It has to be totally voluntary," he said. "We have to ensure that people are not forced to work beyond the time they want to work."