Thousands of readers have responded to a poll in a story this week about a report suggesting the UK State Pension age would have to increase to 71 for those born from 1970.

In one of our most hotly-debated topics this year, almost 10,000 readers have voted so far. Most are overwhelmingly against the idea, with 80% saying that the State Pension age should be 65 or younger and a move to 71 would be wrong.

This was the standard age many had expected to receive their pensions, following the Pensions Act 1995. Over the years, the figure has crept up and up, with the Pensions Act 2007 increasing the age to 66 between 2024 and 2026 and 67 by 2026.

Now, many fear that by the time they retire, it will be 71 or higher. Just three per cent of readers supported this idea.

Here are the results so far, but we still want your views. You can still have your say and cast your vote on the original story here.

Mary Green, from Rosewood Financial Planning, says: "Not everyone wants to or indeed can keep working into their 70's. I know of who have had to sell up and live with an adult child and family to be able to afford to retire."

It's an issue for many workers whose occupational pensions are linked to State Pension age, as well as those who feel that they can no longer continue in exhausting jobs.

Mary explains: "The State Pension underpins many of my clients' financial plans. The increasing age limit means that they want to retire well before they can receive it so, they can enjoy retirement whilst their health and energy levels allow.

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"Personal pensions can typically be taken 10 years before the state pension. One way to plan for the delay in State Pension is to use these pensions as a bridge then reduce the income taken from them when the State Pension kicks in. A good financial adviser should offer all clients a standalone cash flow planning exercise to pinpoint any gaps or shortfalls in income required. Then we can pull a number of leavers to resolve any identified issues."

She adds: "Some of levers include, consolidation of old workplace pensions, increasing contributions, using tax efficient investment wrappers such as ISAs or LISAs as additional income streams in retirement. Others use buy to let mortgages to purchase second homes for the rental income."

Readers also took to Mumsnet's Am I Being Unreasonable board to raise their concerns, where 91% of posters thought the changes were unreasonable.

One poster commented: "What happens if you lose your job in your late 60s? Who is going to recruit someone this age?"

Another said: "If older folk are taking the jobs, what about younger people and the lack of jobs? And what jobs would older people be doing? I couldn't imagine a 70 year old firefighter, surgeon, etc."

And the sobering: "Absolutely too old, particularly in poorer areas. Isn't the average life expectancy in poorer areas something like 68?"

But, a small number thought it was reasonable: "You’re supposed to save up to retire early. State Pension is not supposed to fund years of retirement. That would be very expensive."