in retirement

A spokesperson for the DWP said: "We understand people move abroad for many reasons, and we provide clear information on how this can impact their finances in retirement – with the policy on the uprating of the UK state pension for recipients living overseas a longstanding one."

The latest data shows that two in five new mortgages have terms that see homeowners still making payments in retirement.

On some days, it seems like our culture is defined by isolation and self-interest, but the good will of nearly 80 million people, many of them serving their communities in retirement, tells another story.

He once described himself as a “politics junkie” and even in retirement he kept a close eye on Stormont, Westminster and the Dáil.

“The evidence that benefit cuts are bad for kids is a lot stronger than the evidence that benefit cuts are bad for those in retirement. Retirees can look after themselves — kids can't,” French said.