People will have to work longer to support the economy and plug labour shortages, the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) has suggested.

Currently, the retirement age – the age when the State pension kicks in and an employer can automatically ask some to leave work – is 66.

It had been due to increase to 67 from last year and then to 68 from 2028 – but after widespread protests both target dates were abandoned.

ESRI research professor Alan Barrett said: "In the context of an ageing population, and let’s call it a healthier population, which is of course linked to the age of the population, there probably is scope for further increases in participation."

A campaign was launched around the general election last November to keep the retirement age at 66.

SIPTU economist Michael Taft, who was part of the campaign, said: "It’s politically toxic for any political party to talk about raising the pension age, it’s just not going to happen."

(Pic: Getty Images)