HAMPSHIRE’S pensioners are contributing thousands of pounds in unpaid work each year.

A report by pensions company MGM revealed the retired are the country’s unsung heroes, with each adding an average £2,000 to the economy in unpaid childcare, voluntary and charity work.

But the report found a third of those polled felt unappreciated.

The research dubbed this an “indictment of society” and called for a Minister for Retirement to champion older people’s views.

Report author Rachel Vahey said: “More needs to done to understand the different life stages in retirement and the changing needs of individuals.

“Retired people are not a homogenous group – they are a big part of our society – rich in diversity and with many net contributors.”

This year 658,000 people reached 65, an increase of 12,000 on 2010, bringing the total number of retired to 11.8 million. In 2012 806,000 people will reach 65.

Although no longer working, this group pulls its weight by saving the Government and parents £15.4 billion annually by babysitting while voluntary community work saves the Government £5.6bn and charity work musters £3.4bn.