Older accountants are voicing increasing concerns about their retirement options as a result of the removal of the retirement age and changes to pensions, according to the Chartered Accountants' Benevolent Association (CABA).

The charity reports that it is receiving an increasing number of calls from accountants aged between 55 and 70 who are looking for guidance in a wide range of areas. While it has always provided advice on retirement, this has traditionally centred almost exclusively around the adjustments needed to leaving familiar working patterns and structures.

Kath Haines, CABA chief executive, said: 'Now, there are different issues arising. With the disappearance of compulsory retirement and a longer life expectancy, some are unsure whether they should keep working and, if so, what kind of work they should be doing.'

Haines reported that pensions are another major focus of concern, with many accountants facing retirement with a much reduced pension income than anticipated because of a move away from final salary schemes and a lower than expected stock market performance.

'Although we are not able to provide specific financial advice, we can help accountants to consider all of the different elements of their life that will be affected by retirement and support them in adapting to their new circumstances,' Haines said.

CABA provides a series of resources for those of retirement age available at www.caba.org.uk. The charity has also teamed up with ICAEW to provide a website where volunteers can search for roles and where not-for-profit organisations can look for volunteers at www.icaewvolunteers.com.