Any rise in the State Pension Age would have a disproportionate effect on Scots, a charity has warned.

Age UK said the Scotland's life expectancy rate, which is around two years lower than the rest of the UK, would mean some Scots would receive "little or no state pension" if planned rises to the State Pension Age (SPA) went ahead.

The warning comes as the UK Government carries out an independent review into the projected life expectancy of the population in future years.

From 2020, both men and women's state pension age will be 66, increasing to 67 between 2026 and 2028, and then linked to life expectancy after that.

Age UK has now carried out a report 'Working later, waiting longer' which concludes that any review must not "put a decent retirement beyond the reach of today's fifty-somethings".

It said those in their 50s and 60s who do physically demanding jobs, scale down their hours, give up work in midlife to care for loved ones or have ongoing periods of ill health are likely to lose out badly from any rise in their SPA.

Those interviewed in the report said they expect to be "heavily reliant" on the State Pension and have increasing anxiety about managing to survive until they are old enough to draw it.

It is a problem, the charity says, which will worsen if the Government decides to raise their SPA further, following the conclusion of the independent review.

In some parts of Scotland, where life expectancy is around 67, a rising pension age could mean some Scots would never draw a pension.

Age Scotland Chief Executive Brian Sloan said: "This is a hugely important report from Age UK and it is vital the UK Government listens to the voices of older people on this crucial issue.

"A rising State Pension age will have a disproportionate effect in Scotland, where life expectancy in Scotland remains around two years lower than the rest of the UK.

"In some areas of Scotland it barely exceeds 67 for men, and some of our older people might receive little or no State Pension if the qualifying age is raised to 68.

"The State Pension age review must consider differential impacts not only due to physically demanding occupations and caring responsibilities, but also variations in health around the UK.

"Age Scotland welcomes this important contribution to the debate around the future of the State Pension and trusts it will be given serious consideration by the UK Government."

Caroline Abrahams, Charity Director at Age UK, said: "We should all be able to look forward to a decent retirement but the sad truth is that blanket rises in the State Pension Age, without any extra protection for disadvantaged groups, could take this out of some people's reach.

"Men and women who have worked hard all their lives in tough manual jobs, or who have scaled down their hours or left work in midlife to care for an ageing parent are among those most likely to lose out, which seems incredibly unfair.

"When we spoke to people in this position for our report they said they hoped for at least a few years of rest in retirement, to pursue hobbies or spend time with their grandchildren, and these modest ambitions seem the least that anyone should be entitled to expect today. "

"We are calling on the Government to make sure they factor in the reality of life for middle-aged people like these before making any decisions about further raising their SPA."