‘You wouldn’t exist on the pension alone’ – meet two of the growing number of older people delaying retirement

For many, working well beyond retirement age is the only way they can afford to survive

Patrick Richmond (85) from Balbriggan who can’t see himself retiring.

An increasing number of older people are working long past retirement age, some out of financial necessity as the cost‑of‑living crisis deepens, others because they want to stay active for the mental and physical benefits.

For many, the state pension does not stretch far enough to cover mounting household costs.