Why it’s better to be over 60 than under in the East of England

People over the age of 60 in the region feel 18 years younger than they actually are – or 50 years old – on average, according to a new survey.

94% of retirees in the East of England surveyed said that they are enjoying their retirements, with travel and holidays seen as the most popular activity (9% of retirees even enjoy backpacking), followed by spending more time with family and friends. In addition, more than four-fifths of the East of England’s over-60s (81%) think that the current quality of life for their generation is better than that of their parents at the same age.

Despite enjoying retirement, the region’s pensioners do still lament the passing of their younger days. When asked what age they would like to be, 39 was the average age chosen by over-60s, while people’s 30s were rated as the best decade of their lives so far (chosen by 28% of retirees), primarily due to having been in good physical health and having children or a happy family life.

Older people in the East of England don’t want their retirements to end any time soon however, with over-60s stating they would ideally like to live to the age of 90 on average.

But younger people in our region are far less optimistic about the future.

In contrast to over-60s, the East of England’s under-60s are less optimistic about the future and their retirements, as well as their current situations.

Only 42% of under-60s think that the quality of life for their generation is better than that of their parents’ generation at the same age.

While the vast majority of retirees in the East of England are enjoying their retirements, the majority of under-60s who are yet to retire have reservations about their lives beyond work, with only 57% stating that they are looking forward to their retirements. Almost half of under-60s (46%) said that they would choose to carry on working even if they were financially stable enough not to have to.

On average, people under the age of 60 in the East of England said they would like to live to the age of 90 years ideally and that they would like to retire when they are 60 years old, giving them 30 years of retired living. However, in reality, 16% of under-60s don’t think they will ever be able to retire and those that do have an expected retirement age think they will have to work until they are 67 on average.