Ian was a teacher for 25 years

An art schoolteacher for 25 years he was forced to retire from work in 1999 following a long period of clinical depression.

"Many professional people don't understand that health problems can strike at any time and this can lead to severe financial difficulties," Ian told BBC News.

"I was off work for over a year and found it difficult to communicate or even leave the house," Ian said.

Unable to cope

I have always paid my way in life, it was demeaning to have to go cap in hand to the local authority for help

Unfortunately, Ian had been poorly advised by a financial adviser in the late 1980s and had opted out of the teaching profession's lucrative final salary pension scheme.

As a result, Ian and his wife, who is a full time carer looking after their eldest of three children who has Downs Syndrome, faced having to live on a very small pension.

"I went from having a decent lifestyle to being unable to cope financially.

"I have always paid my way in life, it was demeaning to have to go cap in hand to the local authority for help. The benefits office staff were polite but it didn't change the fact that we were means tested and had to account for every penny," Ian said.

Not alone

Ian is on constant medication and is unlikely to ever be able to work again. Life, he says, can be a real struggle.

"We have to watch the money but we are getting help from the local authority and the Elizabeth Finn Trust.

"Thanks to grants I can keep my car on the road which is key in case my child needs urgent hospital care."

Research from the Elizabeth Finn Trust indicates that Ian is not alone in being in being a professional who has fallen on hard times.

It predicts the number of professionals in poverty will increase to 11% of all adults by 2020.

Ill-health, redundancy, family breakdown and poor pension provision were some of the factors that have pushed this group and their dependents below the breadline.