By Lana Clements ...

David Bowie and Sylvester Stallone hit retirement age

By Lana Clements

David Bowie has turned 65 this week to join Sylvester Stallone and Cher among the movie and rock stars now at the UK state retirement age.

The age of the stars is being highlighted as research shows the extent to which age discrimination prevails in Britain. In a survey of over 2,000 people, the shows that on average, people thought that old age begins at just 59.

While more than one in ten thought having a 70- year old boss would be "unacceptable". Over a third of those surveyed had had experienced some age prejudice in the last year.

Britain's pensions crisis mean that in the coming years, people are expected to be working for longer, because of increasing life expectancy and failing to save enough for retirement.

Last year the Default Retirement Age was removed, which means bosses could no longer force someone out of a job because they are too old.

Mike Morrison, head of pensions development at AXA Wealth, says: "Even our most infamous rock stars are now at retirement age. When someone this 'cool' turns 65 it really makes you start thinking about what we perceive as old age.

"Changing people's perception of old age will not be easy, but is important. There have been a number of measures introduced to address the longevity crisis that we face. These changes will highlight that it will be increasingly difficult to rely on the state for assistance and that private pension savings will be absolutely vital."