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 and Woodford Green MP, 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 Wanstead to find out.

Neelofrer Korotana, 23, Hollybush Hill, Wanstead
I think people should be able to choose when they retire, they should be able to go on working as long as they want. I would think that a lot of people around that age would want to carry on in their jobs past 65.

James Kirkham, 26, The Charter Road, Woodford Green
I think that if you're both capable and willing to carry on past 65, then you should be allowed to work. Surely it's necessary in an ageing population? Really, I think people should take it all as a good sign, that we're all healthier and enjoying longer lives.

Helen Lowe, 30, Cowley Road, Wanstead
It should be a person choice. I would carry on after 65 but I suppose it depends on the carer you have. You would have to love what you do. I work with people who are working in their 70s and they like being around younger people.

Faruk Badat, 62, Cauldren Road, Leytonstone I think 65 is about right. I am already retired because I worked for Royal Mail for 21 years and the work was very hard, it became too much. I'm not working at the moment but I am looking for something to keep me occupied, maybe part-time.

Claudene Stanley, 20, High Street, Wanstead
I think it's a good idea, people should be able to choose. I think I'll be ready to retire at 65 in my line of work. I'm a nursery school nurse and it can be very tiring, especially with the babies. Perhaps if I had a different career I would want to carry on working.

Karen Page, 33, Victory Road, Wanstead
I think it should be up to the individual and their own choice. We work the longest hours in Europe and we work pretty hard, so perhaps we are ready to retire at 65. But then again we are living longer so I suppose something has to change.