Ireland needs to have a 'big conversation' around retirement, but the political appetite may not be there.
That's according to former Fianna Fáil Minister and Senator Mary O'Rourke.
She was speaking as a new survey of 1,000 people by Standard Life found 52% intend to keep working past the retirement age of 65.
Some 41% cited the need to beat boredom as the main reason to keep working.
While 37% said they wanted to keep their mind active, and 37% said they wanted to keep social interaction with people in work.
But just 24% said they wanted to keep working for monetary reasons.
Ms O'Rourke told Pat Kenny while the entire issue needs to be looked at again, it won't please everyone.
"There is obviously a need for a big conversation... but I don't know if, in the ensuing conversation, you would be able to satisfy the myriad of people who are savouring lots of employment opportunities post-retirement.
"Whether the retirement was age or, in politics, by the people themselves or whatever".
But she admits the issue itself is politically sensitive.
"It is a difficult one, and I know in France they're having lots of debates and marches - heavy, big marches all about it.
"[French President] Macron is very keen to bring along this conversation - I don't know if the current Government want a conversation around it".
'The people retired me'
She says while she retired from politics, she has stayed very active since.
"When people say of me I retired in 2011, I usually say back to them: No, I didn't really retire - the people retired me.
"I've no giving out about that, they gave me a great run of it... for years and years and years.
"And to be truthful I didn't mind at all, because I thought it was time I left the public arena.
"But it didn't mean I was going to leave my mind and my intelligence behind me, and I've continued in a variety of roles since then belying the age that I am.
"And I'm so happy that I'm able to exercise my mind".
On the idea of a mandatory retirement age, she says it is based on an outdated life cycle.
"It was when you really, at 65, only had another few years to live in the main - so I think that was the reason why it was set at 65.
"But I think there are so many other areas of life in which one can use whatever talent you have.
"For me I'm reviewing books and reading and writing - and sort of keeping myself going that way.
"I am lucky in that my mind is very functioning, thank goodness, and it means that the things I'm doing now are really not physical.
"They are mental and intelligence-wise".
