Hongkongers keen to work longer

More than half of Hongkongers think that the retirement age at their companies should be extended, with many saying that 65 or over would be appropriate.

That's according to a poll of 1,016 people aged 25 or above, conducted by the Institute of Education between July and August.

In the survey, 56.7 per cent of respondents said the retirement age at their companies should be extended, while 31.6 per cent said otherwise. The rest mostly said they did not have an opinion on the retirement age.

Of those who said the age should be extended, 77.4 per cent said the extension should be five years or more, while 18.8 per cent said it should be one to four years.

The survey did not ask respondents about the retirement age at their companies, but Professor Chou Kee-lee, head of the institute's department of Asian and policy studies, said the usual retirement age in the private sector was 60.

"Many people these days want to work for a few more years because they have spent longer furthering their education. That means they have had less time to work and save enough money for their retirement," Chou said.