Half a dozen very different types of retirees have been named following research by Newcastle Building Society into the lifestyles of those over the age of 60.

The most prevalent of these groups are hoarders, who like to keep things that same as they were prior to giving up work and do not see why anything should change because they have reached a certain age.

Next, improvers spend the majority of their retirement pot on home enhancements such as new conservatories and love spending time in the garden.

Children supporters save as much of their pension pots as they can and help their families out financially as well as looking to leave an inheritance for their relations.

Bob Mottershead, from Newcastle Building Society Equity Release Service, comments: "These findings show that you can't generalise people as 'over 60' when clearly different people adopt very different lifestyles in or approaching retirement."

Meanwhile, the Department for Work and Pensions recently urged older people to apply for any benefits that they are entitled to with regard to heating their homes.