RSSRetirement has always been considered the time when you can put your feet up, relax and watch the days go gently by. Maybe see the grandchildren occasionally, maybe wander into town for a cup of tea. Or spend the day at the golf club, doing more talking than playing.
Well, that's one option. But more and more people are seeing their retirement as an opportunity to do more, not less, now that the requirements of full time work are no longer upon them. As the majority of people who retire are now in relatively good health, there are still plenty of options open to them. And staying active is very definitely a good thing: recently, scientists reported that people who delay retirement or continue to work in some capacity have a smaller chance of being diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. And while many people continue to work beyond retirement age for financial reasons, if you're lucky enough to be able to choose what you do, there are plenty of other choices to make:
Travel: It's a big world out there and getting to and around it has never been easier. Whether your dream is to visit the major European cities or to go on a fantastic safari in Kenya, age is no barrier provided you are in reasonable health. If you're feeling really adventurous, why not go by road from the UK to Australia? Its oldest passenger has been 77. You may want to make sure you have an effective life insurance to go alongside your travel policy before you go.
Further education: There are very few courses that have maximum age restrictions and there are literally thousands of subjects you can study. The Open University, for example, offers over 600 courses that count towards more than 200 qualifications. It currently has around 4,500 undergraduate students aged 65 or over - and registrations from this age group are up 16 per cent this year. Local colleges also run courses on anything from foreign languages to computer skills, and often have part time or evening sessions to suit your lifestyle. Hotcourses has details of education opportunities in your local area.
Learn new skills: Again your first stop here should be your local education centre. Depending on where you live, there are going to be hundreds of choices available, from bricklaying to photography to dressmaking. And if you're an expert in something and want to share your knowledge, why not advertise yourself as a teacher?
Volunteering: You have decades of experience and maybe some specific skills that could be vital for local charities or organisations. From becoming a magistrate to offering to drive disabled people around, to acting as a starter at an athletics event, there is bound to be something you can do. And while many of the positions for volunteers require a regular commitment, others just ask you to give your time for a few hours and that's the end of it. Apart from the satisfaction in giving something back to the community, volunteering is also a great way to meet new people and make new friends. Find out who needs help near you.
Sainsbury’s offer a range of financial services including life insurance, loans, savings accounts, home insurance & pet insurance. Visit www.sainsburysbank.co.uk for quotes and more information.
