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Working a low-paying job leaves you feeling short-changed at the best of times — but now a study has claimed it could even rob you of your memory in retirement.

Researchers at New York's Columbia University found people working low-wage jobs suffer quicker cognitive decline, a symptom of dementia. 

The study of around 2,900 US adults found those working jobs paid under two-thirds of the average wage saw quicker memory decline than higher paid counterparts. 

Researchers said the findings suggest increasing the minimum hourly-wage could reduce decline in those on the lowest wages in society.

Low-wage jobs were defined as being paid less than two-thirds the median wage in the country, which would currently be people earning less than around $27,400 (£22,400) in the US. 

In the UK this would currently be those earning less than £17,100 per year. Jobs that would fall into the bracket include entry-level cleaners, McDonald's workers and teaching assistants.

Average wages dropped at their quickest for more than two decades in April, with wages currently failing to keep track with the rising cost of living.

Around 900,000 people are thought to be living with dementia in the UK, with rates expected to increase with an ageing population.