ALMOST half of baby boomers in a new study said they do not want to retire and instead would rather work 'for as long as they can'.

The Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports study also found that not all want to work because they need money.

Some want to stay active and do something meaningful, the study said.

Among those who want to retire, about seven in 10 expect to do so before they reach 65.

These were the only details released yesterday of the study, which polled 2,700 Singaporeans aged between 43 and 60.

At another event on Friday, Minister in the Prime Minister's Office Lim Boon Heng urged Singaporeans to 'work as long as we can'.

Mr Lim, the chairman of the Ministerial Committee on Ageing, urged older workers to be open to changes in their job scope and salary.

He said: 'Singaporeans are also learning from the current financial and economic problems that savings can be wiped out by investments that go awry.'

'It is prudent to work for as long as we can.'

Mr Lim also urged bosses not to be hasty in axing older workers.

He added: 'Prudent employers will retain older staff with experience and who have steady hands to deal with the current crisis.'