People who work longer are wealthier and healthier, according to research by the Department for Work and Pensions.

The study found 76 per cent of working men aged 65-75 described their health over the last years as either "excellent" or "very good", compared with 54 per cent of non-workers.

Among women, 71 per cent of workers reported a similarly high level of health, compared with 49 per cent of non-workers.

Half the male workers, and nearly two-thirds of the women, were saving money, compared with around one-third of non-workers.