The number of people wanting to work beyond the age of 65 will increase dramatically in the next 15 years, according to the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.

The organisation's research revealed that 38% of individuals now intend to work beyond the traditional retirement age, compared to a figure of just 11% who currently do so.

The study also suggested that more people would work longer if they were able to do so flexibly. Of those who had said they didn't want to work beyond 65, 31% said they would change their mind if they could work hours to suit them.

"It is clear that government policy could do more to encourage more older workers to stay on by extending the right to request flexible working beyond parents and carers and making pension arrangements more flexible," said Charles Cotton, CIPD reward adviser.

"If the government fails to do this, its target of having a million older workers in work will become a mere aspiration."