The latest Grey Pride community poll asked “What does retirement mean to you?” and the results are in.

Thank you to everyone who voted, as always your insights and opinions are compelling and intriguing.

This is clearly a matter of interest and importance as 630 votes were cast!  Unlike the previous poll the results of this vote were quite close, here they are:

• Financial Worries 16.6%
• More free time 13.8%
• Focusing on hobbies 13.6%
• New Opportunities 11.9%
• A chance to travel 10.8%
• Taking up new interests, learning new skills 9.6%
• Volunteering 8.2%
• Being closer to family 7.4%
• Loss of direction 4.1%
• Other answer 4.1%

Although the majority of responses were positive, perhaps it is not surprising to see that for a large portion of people retirement means financial worries.  Money and income have been hot topics in the forums since the launch of this community site, with many discussions focusing on pensions and similar issues.

Also of note is the fact that out of those who selected 'Other’ 5 people put loneliness, isolation and being invisible as what retirement meant to them.  The BBC recently published this story calling loneliness the “hidden killer of elderly”.  Is this an issue that many of you worry about as you get older? Do you think this may be a new issue facing older people in modern day society?

Despite these serious concerns, it is reassuring to see that as a group you predominantly focus on positive aspects of retirement such as having more free time.  As the Grey Pride community has grown you’ve been sharing news and pictures of the array of pastimes you enjoy – from travelling to social clubs, and challenging outdated perceptions of older people as inactive and retirement as a time to slow down.

So, do you agree with these findings? Is retirement a stage full of worries or promise? 

Why not let us know what you think or share your experience of retirement in the forum.

Keep your eyes peeled for our next poll starting soon!