Travel tops bucket lists of baby boomers, survey claims

Learning a foreign language, going to more concerts and eating in a Michelin-star restaurant feature on top 30 list

Emma Elsworthy
Tuesday 09 October 2018 19:47 BST
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Travelling the world topped the bucket list for over 55s, according to study
Travelling the world topped the bucket list for over 55s, according to study

Driving Route 66, going to gigs and "getting the kids to move out" are among the top bucket list wishes for over 55s, according to a new survey.

The baby boomer generation are planning a range of adventure experiences in their retirement years, the poll found.

While “seeing the world” made the top of the list, learning a foreign language and going to more concerts also ranked highly.

Getting a tattoo, online dating and learning to swim also made the top 30, as did hiring a personal trainer and learning to play the guitar.

More than half of those surveyed said they were “confident” they will achieve their goals.

“Retirement isn’t what it used to be," said Harold Pritchard, distribution director at Legal & General Home Finance, which commissioned the survey. ''Rather than taking it easy, many of our customers look forward to having more freedom and taking on new projects and hobbies.”

The poll also found that 78 per cent of respondents believed that having life goals was important.

Eighty two per cent said they want something to aim for and 32 per cent were keen to show that, regardless of their age, they can do anything they want.

Over 80 per cent of the 2,000 adults over 55 who were polled said they “felt younger” than their actual age. Only 17 per cent said they feel their actual age or older.

Seven in 10 admitted they had a list of things they would love to tick off before they die.

Among the things which are preventing baby boomers from enjoying activities on their bucket lists are financial or time issues, along with a feeling they may now be “too old”.

About three quarters said they felt it was “important” to have aims in life.

Many of those surveyed said that life is better now than it ever has been for the older generation, with 85 per cent expressing happiness at their current situation.

SWNS

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