More retire in face of change in age

The number of people retiring has soared by more than 20 per cent ahead of a change to the minimum age at which workers can start drawing their pension.

There was a 22 per cent increase in the number of people who started to draw their pension in January this year, compared with September 2009, according to consultancy firm Aon Consulting.

The group said the jump could be a direct result of the minim-um retirement age rising from 50 to 55 on April 6.