Trampolines, rafts and hills... OAPs of future will be busy

THE next generation of pensioners plans on leading active retirements their parents could never have imagined, a study has found.

Those now aged between 55 and 65 want to see the world, keep fit and generally “live life to the full” after they give up work.

Most want to spend more time outdoors and many fancy taking up daring pursuits such as rock climbing and whitewater rafting.

Even trampolining is on the list of things they intend to try, according to a survey for private insurers HCA Healthcare UK.

This is in stark contrast to their parents who suffered health problems, had less disposable income and lived a more traditional, sedentary retirement lifestyle.

The retirees of the future will be more “active age pensioners” than “old age pensioners” with many viewing themselves as busier than previous generations.

Three-quarters of those surveyed, 76 per cent, said they already regularly take part in activities such as walking, swimming and cycling.

Nearly two-thirds, 59 per cent, plan to travel and be outside more while over half (54 per cent) want to live a full life with no plans to slow down.

The same can-do attitude is seen when it comes to health issues.

Although 62 per cent are worried about ill-health getting in the way of enjoying retirement they are unlikely to languish for weeks or months on NHS waiting lists.

Over half of respondents said they would rather pay for knee surgery (54 per cent) or hip operations (53 per cent) so they can get back to their active lifestyles more quickly.

Ian McDermott, consultant orthopaedic surgeon at London Bridge Hospital, which is part of private insurers HCA Healthcare UK, said: “I’m not surprised so-called ‘older people’ have no plans to slow down.

“Every week I’m told by patients they want to continue with the activities they love. They are not content with just being able to hobble to the shops as they may have been expected to in the past.”