A CHANGE in the law means that bosses no longer have the right to force their employees to retire when they reach the age of 65.

Iain Duncan Smith MP, the work and pensions secretary, claims that many people want to carry on working into their 70s and beyond, and there are already nearly one million people in the UK working past the age of 65.

The state retirement age for both men and women is proposed to increase to 66 by 2020.

But how many of us really want to delay our retirements? Guardian reporter James Ranger went onto the streets of Epping to find out.

Stephen Dinsdale, 60, Weald Bridge Road, North Weald
You should be allowed to carry on if you are fit enough. I think it's totally unfair to be made to stop working just because you reach a certain age. If you can do the job then you should carry on.

Sue Cook, 69, School Green Lane, North Weald
I think you should have the choice to retire if and when you like, it should be up to you. You shouldn't be forced to stop working if you don't want to.

Jackie Maskell, 69, Westbury Lane, Buckhurst Hill
I worked until I was 67 and only left when the place shut down. I think I would still like to be working now, but perhaps part-time. I know some people look forward to sitting around the house but when I first retired I hated it for a while.

Callum Magle, 19, Harveyfields, Waltham Abbey
Some people to retire when you reach that age and some can carry on, so they should have the choice. If you're still fit an able to do the job there's no reason why you shouldn't carry on, you should stop when you're ready.

Sheila Carroll, 61, Elmbridge, Harlow
I stopped working when I was 60 because I wasn't well enough but if I had I think I would have liked to have carried on. Now the compulsory retirement age has been removed people have a choice, which is a good thing.

Liza Cheek, 35, Pikeway, North Weald
I'd say it's a good idea to retire at 65. I should think that by that stage in the game you have probably had enough of it, haven't you?