Pablo

“I’m not working any less than I was before - but now I’m doing things I want to do, rather than the things I had to do, to keep my business going.

“The word retirement doesn’t mean anything nowadays - it used to mean grey hair and sitting in the garden with your slippers on, but not anymore.”

Pablo is an undeniably talented 63-year-old. A musician, actor, and producer, he’s proving that life’s encore can be just as dynamic as its opening acts. Since closing his performing arts academy in 2016, Pablo has embraced a new chapter filled with passion projects.

For Pablo and his wife, later life is anything but slowing down. Together, they’re crafting a life on their own terms, full of purpose, activity, and the joy of pursuing what they truly love.

Lynda

“I think when people say ‘retirement’ you think it means a full stop. I use that word, but I sometimes feel like I’m not [retired]. I am active without a doubt and busier than I ever have been through my music, family and Airbnb business.”

At 70, Lynda is turning later life into a symphony of creativity and passion. A gifted jazz saxophonist, she’s dedicating this chapter of her life to what she loves most – playing and composing music with two jazz ensembles.

Fortunately, Lynda feels secure in her financial position in later life, due to having both an occupational pension and state pension. She has also paid off her mortgage, and the additional income from her Airbnb, along with the occasional fee-paying gig, is enough to meet what she calls her “simple” needs.

For Lynda, later life is a time to embrace adventure, stay active, and prove that the later years can be even more dynamic, rich, and rewarding than youth.

Wayne

“I don’t know what retirement is – I don’t feel like I’ve ever worked a day in my life because I’ve always been doing something I love. Fashion has led me to do a variety of things in later life and has made me friends all over the world. It’s also been financially rewarding giving me a private pension and no mortgage. My wife and I also own a couple of properties, so at this stage of my life I feel secure.”

Wayne’s illustrious career in fashion is the culmination of a lifelong passion, and after closing his tailoring shop seven years ago, he’s busier than ever. Now in his 70s, he continues to leave his mark on the industry by consulting for iconic brands like Ralph Lauren and Gant and lending his expertise to projects like the wardrobe design for the acclaimed TV series Peaky Blinders. Wayne’s journey began at fashion college, leading to an impressive stint in Paris where he worked with legendary designers such as Armani and Saint Laurent, shaping his unique perspective and style.

David

"Retirement for me was never about slowing down—it was about creating more time and space to concentrate on my art, something I’ve been passionate about throughout my life.”

At 64, David has transformed his life following a career in the probation service. In 2000 his passion for creativity led him back to university, where he earned an MA in Fine Art. In 2018, David stepped down fully from his role in probation to dedicate his time to his artistic endeavours – painting and music. Now when not in his studio, he also embraces an active lifestyle, playing tennis or strolling along the seafront with his dog, finding endless inspiration in the world around him.

Fauzia

“I'm very much a people person, love making new acquaintances and learning about their experiences and passions. I’m very social, I travel a lot, keep fit and love having new experiences and challenges that help me grow. Life is for living after all and I’m loving every minute of it! I certainly feel I can enjoy the standard of retirement I aspire to, but we all work so hard, it's never too early to think about our retirement in order to comfortably enjoy the fruits of our labour.”

Fauzia is a firm believer in living life to the fullest, embracing new experiences and thrives on meeting new people, travelling, and being sociable – a mindset that led her to uncover a passion and talent for modelling later in life.

After a long career in IT, Fauzia ventured into modelling with no prior experience, when in 2023 she was approached by the founder of a skincare brand to model their products, which sparked her interest in the industry. Since then, she’s booked numerous photoshoots with several photographers and, inspired by her success, decided to take voluntary redundancy in 2024 to fully dedicate herself to his new venture. Fauzia has since been signed by many modelling agencies and something she had never dreamed about is now providing an income.

While Fauzia had financially prepared for later life by investing in workplace pensions, making additional contributions and investing in property and tax-free ISAs to boost her retirement portfolio, this additional income is a great bonus.

She notes that initiating conversations with a financial advisor later in life has also helped her to consolidate a few smaller pensions, although she wishes she had invested in a financial advisor earlier in life to discuss, review and possibly better manage retirement plans. She thinks more weight should be given to advising the younger generation to think about later life and potential options.

Paul

“Retiring, or ‘stopping everything’, just doesn’t appeal to me at all. While I’ve planned for retirement with a private pension, I’ll keep working beyond retirement age because I enjoy it. I’ll also still be running (albeit it slightly slower than what I used to!) staying active and spending time with my two daughters.”

62-year-old Paul is a semi-retired illustrator and lifelong runner who is proving that this stage of life is less about slowing down and more about rediscovering what matters most.

As a proud member of Brighton’s Phoenix Running Club, Paul now laces up his trainers purely for the joy of the run rather than to compete. With a dynamic career as a freelance storyboard artist, he isn’t putting down his creative tools just yet. While he has prepared for later life with a private pension, he plans to continue working past retirement age purely for the enjoyment, leaning into the freedom and inspiration his work brings and treating this chapter of life as a chance to fully savour what comes next.

Margrit

"As I’ve got older, my curiosity to learn new things hasn’t gone anywhere, I’m just lucky to have more time to give to the things that interest me - be that a history of art degree or putting together stylish outfits.”

At 72, Margrit is known for her impeccable sense of style and keen eye for beauty, having curated timeless outfits (mainly monochrome Japanese designers) for any occasion, whether strolling through art exhibitions or meeting friends.

Born in Switzerland, Margrit studied Economics in Zurich before embarking on a dynamic career in London, spanning conference organising, beauty therapy, and over a decade as a personal shopper at Harvey Nichols. But life by no means slowed down when she retired from work, having made prudent financial decisions throughout her life. Instead, driven by her insatiable curiosity, Margrit pursued a History of Art degree as a mature student, before channelling her passion into eight fulfilling years as a volunteer at Somerset House.

Sanjay

“Sometimes in life you need to take on a challenge and grab it with both hands. People think when you retire you put your feet up, but I’m taking the opposite view. Retirement is an opportunity – it’s a time when you can sit down and think about the things you really want to do that you’ve never had time to do before. Anything is possible.”

Ten years ago, Sanjay rediscovered his love for walking, a passion that has since taken him across the UK, from the tranquil trails of the Lake District to the rugged peaks of Scotland. For Sanjay, walking isn’t just exercise—it’s a way to nurture his mental health, escape the hustle and bustle of daily life, and enjoy the freedom of the great outdoors. Now, as he approaches later life, Sanjay is setting his sights on an ambitious new goal: the Three Peaks Challenge. In 2025, he plans to climb Ben Nevis, Snowdon, and Scafell Pike—all within 24 hours—a challenge he’s always wanted to undertake.

Rather than slowing down, Sanjay sees later life as an opportunity to embrace adventure and create new memories in the great outdoors.

Reflecting on the financial challenges of later life, Sanjay is fairly confident he can retire to a reasonable level, having invested in a pension, which he regularly checks to see it is on course. But if he had known differently, he notes he would have perhaps made more voluntary contributions to build up his pension pot earlier.

Mel

“Retirement to me is the phase of life when you can be more yourself. I see the next 10, 20 years as the time for me to do all the things I’ve wanted to do. Keeping your mind active, doing things and challenging yourself is what keeps you young, and that’s what I intend to do, starting with spending time with my lovely grandchildren.

“I’m still getting used to spending my savings after so many years of accumulating them. That is harder than I had imagined it would be! I wish I had realised earlier that it’s the early years of retirement that need all the cash – the older you get, the less mobile you become and the need for the same level of income lessens.”

At 60, Mel is embracing a ‘phased retirement,’ which she views as a perfect opportunity to spend more time with her grandchildren and carve out some much needed ‘me time.’ Her Wednesdays, affectionately known as ‘Granny Wednesdays,’ are dedicated to caring for her young grandson, who is soon to become a big brother.

Mel has been saving for retirement all her life, for example by overpaying the mortgage to settle it early, paying additional voluntary contributions into her pension, and investing in stocks and shares ISAs. This means this new chapter is a chance to explore fresh opportunities and check off long-awaited items on her bucket list.

Nidhi

“When it comes to getting older, society around you almost expects you to behave a certain way and take it easy, stay at home and not be doing a lot. But I’m the opposite, in fact, I’m doing more now than I did before. Everyone who knows me will say I’ll never officially ‘retire’ - there’s always new people to meet and new opportunities and things to learn on the horizon, I think I’m a student for life!”

Nidhi’s love of colour, inspired by her mother and her treasured collection of saris, has become a joyful thread throughout her life, influencing her wardrobe and outlook. After leaving her last role as a science technician, she embraced a new chapter fuelled by her creativity, filled with voluntary work, creative projects, sari-draping workshops, and a fulfilling social life. She now has the time to celebrate, enjoy and share her creativity, always wearing an outfit that’s as vibrant as her personality.

Joanne

“I’m 57 and I couldn’t even contemplate retiring – what would I do? I really enjoy working and still have energy left over for other creative projects like the chapel I’m currently renovating with my husband. I think some people thought we must be mad when we bought – it's cold, it’s drafty, but I love it.”

At 57, Joanne is diving into an exciting home renovation project, alongside her career, converting an old chapel in Somerset into a dream home—a venture that has become a major focus of her time and energy. The process of restoring the old Victorian building might intimidate others due to its vast size but Joanne delights in exploring new DIY possibilities, with one of her favourite tasks being having to find new 11-foot-tall curtains for the space.

Pablo

“I’m not working any less than I was before - but now I’m doing things I want to do, rather than the things I had to do, to keep my business going.

“The word retirement doesn’t mean anything nowadays - it used to mean grey hair and sitting in the garden with your slippers on, but not anymore.”

Pablo is an undeniably talented 63-year-old. A musician, actor, and producer, he’s proving that life’s encore can be just as dynamic as its opening acts. Since closing his performing arts academy in 2016, Pablo has embraced a new chapter filled with passion projects.

For Pablo and his wife, later life is anything but slowing down. Together, they’re crafting a life on their own terms, full of purpose, activity, and the joy of pursuing what they truly love.

Mel

“Retirement to me is the phase of life when you can be more yourself. I see the next 10, 20 years as the time for me to do all the things I’ve wanted to do. Keeping your mind active, doing things and challenging yourself is what keeps you young, and that’s what I intend to do, starting with spending time with my lovely grandchildren.

“I’m still getting used to spending my savings after so many years of accumulating them. That is harder than I had imagined it would be! I wish I had realised earlier that it’s the early years of retirement that need all the cash – the older you get, the less mobile you become and the need for the same level of income lessens.”

At 60, Mel is embracing a ‘phased retirement,’ which she views as a perfect opportunity to spend more time with her grandchildren and carve out some much needed ‘me time.’ Her Wednesdays, affectionately known as ‘Granny Wednesdays,’ are dedicated to caring for her young grandson, who is soon to become a big brother.

Mel has been saving for retirement all her life, for example by overpaying the mortgage to settle it early, paying additional voluntary contributions into her pension, and investing in stocks and shares ISAs. This means this new chapter is a chance to explore fresh opportunities and check off long-awaited items on her bucket list.

Sanjay

“Sometimes in life you need to take on a challenge and grab it with both hands. People think when you retire you put your feet up, but I’m taking the opposite view. Retirement is an opportunity – it’s a time when you can sit down and think about the things you really want to do that you’ve never had time to do before. Anything is possible.”

Ten years ago, Sanjay rediscovered his love for walking, a passion that has since taken him across the UK, from the tranquil trails of the Lake District to the rugged peaks of Scotland. For Sanjay, walking isn’t just exercise—it’s a way to nurture his mental health, escape the hustle and bustle of daily life, and enjoy the freedom of the great outdoors. Now, as he approaches later life, Sanjay is setting his sights on an ambitious new goal: the Three Peaks Challenge. In 2025, he plans to climb Ben Nevis, Snowdon, and Scafell Pike—all within 24 hours—a challenge he’s always wanted to undertake.

Rather than slowing down, Sanjay sees later life as an opportunity to embrace adventure and create new memories in the great outdoors.

Reflecting on the financial challenges of later life, Sanjay is fairly confident he can retire to a reasonable level, having invested in a pension, which he regularly checks to see it is on course. But if he had known differently, he notes he would have perhaps made more voluntary contributions to build up his pension pot earlier.

Margrit

"As I’ve got older, my curiosity to learn new things hasn’t gone anywhere, I’m just lucky to have more time to give to the things that interest me - be that a history of art degree or putting together stylish outfits.”

At 72, Margrit is known for her impeccable sense of style and keen eye for beauty, having curated timeless outfits (mainly monochrome Japanese designers) for any occasion, whether strolling through art exhibitions or meeting friends.

Born in Switzerland, Margrit studied Economics in Zurich before embarking on a dynamic career in London, spanning conference organising, beauty therapy, and over a decade as a personal shopper at Harvey Nichols. But life by no means slowed down when she retired from work, having made prudent financial decisions throughout her life. Instead, driven by her insatiable curiosity, Margrit pursued a History of Art degree as a mature student, before channelling her passion into eight fulfilling years as a volunteer at Somerset House.

Wayne

“I don’t know what retirement is – I don’t feel like I’ve ever worked a day in my life because I’ve always been doing something I love. Fashion has led me to do a variety of things in later life and has made me friends all over the world. It’s also been financially rewarding giving me a private pension and no mortgage. My wife and I also own a couple of properties, so at this stage of my life I feel secure.”

Wayne’s illustrious career in fashion is the culmination of a lifelong passion, and after closing his tailoring shop seven years ago, he’s busier than ever. Now in his 70s, he continues to leave his mark on the industry by consulting for iconic brands like Ralph Lauren and Gant and lending his expertise to projects like the wardrobe design for the acclaimed TV series Peaky Blinders. Wayne’s journey began at fashion college, leading to an impressive stint in Paris where he worked with legendary designers such as Armani and Saint Laurent, shaping his unique perspective and style.

Lynda

“I think when people say ‘retirement’ you think it means a full stop. I use that word, but I sometimes feel like I’m not [retired]. I am active without a doubt and busier than I ever have been through my music, family and Airbnb business.”

At 70, Lynda is turning later life into a symphony of creativity and passion. A gifted jazz saxophonist, she’s dedicating this chapter of her life to what she loves most – playing and composing music with two jazz ensembles.

Fortunately, Lynda feels secure in her financial position in later life, due to having both an occupational pension and state pension. She has also paid off her mortgage, and the additional income from her Airbnb, along with the occasional fee-paying gig, is enough to meet what she calls her “simple” needs.

For Lynda, later life is a time to embrace adventure, stay active, and prove that the later years can be even more dynamic, rich, and rewarding than youth.

Paul

“Retiring, or ‘stopping everything’, just doesn’t appeal to me at all. While I’ve planned for retirement with a private pension, I’ll keep working beyond retirement age because I enjoy it. I’ll also still be running (albeit it slightly slower than what I used to!) staying active and spending time with my two daughters.”

62-year-old Paul is a semi-retired illustrator and lifelong runner who is proving that this stage of life is less about slowing down and more about rediscovering what matters most.

As a proud member of Brighton’s Phoenix Running Club, Paul now laces up his trainers purely for the joy of the run rather than to compete. With a dynamic career as a freelance storyboard artist, he isn’t putting down his creative tools just yet. While he has prepared for later life with a private pension, he plans to continue working past retirement age purely for the enjoyment, leaning into the freedom and inspiration his work brings and treating this chapter of life as a chance to fully savour what comes next.