Our new survey reveals that pre-retirees have varying plans for retirement, but that travel tops the list. Retirement is a significant milestone in a person’s working life, and the findings from the survey demonstrate that Ireland’s pre-retiree views retirement as a time to pursue new interests, travel to new places, and spend time with family and friends.
According to the survey results, nearly one in two pre-retirees plan to travel after retirement (48%). Respondents were split between traveling domestically, internationally, or a combination of both.
Pre-retirees show a desire to try new things and plan to take up new hobbies. Art and cooking/baking are the most popular options (37%), followed by sports and exercise (16%). Online courses/learning and music also ranked highly.
Unsurprisingly, childcare emerged as a reality for some. When it comes to supporting family members with childcare, the majority (94.05%) plan to do so part-time. Of those surveyed, 16% plan to volunteer, stating they wanted to contribute to society and make a positive impact.
When asked about other retirement activities, spending time with family and friends was a common theme among respondents, with many looking forward to more time to themselves, relaxing, and being free to do what they want.
Paul Kenny, Programme Leader at the Retirement Planning Council of Ireland said: “In order to enjoy a meaningful retirement, there needs to be more of an emphasis placed on lifestyle during the planning phase. Many individuals are looking for opportunities to stay active, engaged and to pursue their passions in retirement. This includes traveling, volunteering, taking up new hobbies, spending time with family and friends, and even starting a new business venture.
It is important for individuals to have a clear plan in place for this phase of their life and to start acting towards their goals as early as possible. With the right planning and support, retirement can be a fulfilling and enjoyable phase of life.”
The Retirement Planning Council offers a range of retirement planning resources and advice for individuals to help them make the most of their golden years and make their retirement dreams become a reality, including travel, starting a new hobby, or supporting loved ones.
