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 Chingford 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 Chingford to find out.

Neil Parini, 25, The Ridgeway, Chingford
I'd have thought that most people, myself included, would love to retire at 65 and try to enjoy the rest of our lives. If unemployment is so high then why can't we let these people retire to create more jobs?

Jo Crosby, 35, Church Road, High Beech
People should be able to carry on working as long as they want. Some people are not ready to to retire at 65. They might be worried about slowing down, they want to keep their minds active.

Liz Ellison, 66, Whitehall Road, Woodford Green
I think it's all a bit of a joke to be honest. In reality I think companies don't want elderly people in their employ. And it's a shame because it's been proven that older people are more reliable because they take less sick leave and that sort of thing.

Ann Shykles, 71, Coolgardie Avenue, Highams Park
It should be people's own choice when they retire. I was about 60 when I retired and it so happened that the business was being sold, so it seemed like a fine time to stop. It depends on things like your health, what you do, and what you want to do with your life.

Martin Hobbs, 42, Stapleford Close, Chingford
It's good that people now have more choice. I suppose when I get to that age I will have to see how things are going, and if I can afford it. I imagine a lot of people want to work longer as people are putting less away for their retirement these days.

Jodie Vidal, 18, The Copse, Chingford
People should have the choice, why should you be forced to retire? People around the age of 65 will have so much experience in their jobs that a younger person won't have, so if they retire then you lose that.