Was the song’s 64 a retirement age in England?

My acappella group sings “When I’m sixty-four” in our charity appearances, especially at a retirement community.

I wonder whether Lennon’s and McCartney’s choice of 64 relates to what in the 1960s was a relevant age under England’s law, whether for a State pension or an occupational superannuation scheme.

Does anyone have an answer more confident than my hunch?

Don't know, but it rhymes with "door" and "evermore" - in the song..... 

Thank you for a conjecture pointing in another imaginable direction.

But recognizing that “When I’m sixty-four” ends every A section and the whole song suggests the authors might have chosen the theme statement first, and rhymed other words to the conclusion.

To support or disprove either theory, does anyone know some UK pensions history?

A quick google brought up this, which indicates an original UK pension age of 70. A lot harder to rhyme seventy. Of course, sixty-five is no picnic to rhyme either, although "survive" comes to mind immediately.

No idea whatsoever, but I offer the following: https://www.songfacts.com/facts/the-beatles/when-im-64

Belgarath's find, about the music coming first and the words later for Jim McCartney's 64th birthday, describes another story.

More info:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/When_I'm_Sixty-Four

Thanks, everyone, for uncovering a nice story.

And here's hoping that all you not yet 64 (myself included) survive the craziness and make it there - and well beyond! 

11 minutes ago, CuseFan said:

And here's hoping that all you not yet 64 (myself included) survive the craziness and make it there - and well beyond! 

 

Hmmm.  Well, not there yet, but it's only a number of months away...  😞

Just hoping I'm still needed and fed!