Colourful retirement stories

We want to change the way retirement looks. Which is why we asked you to tell us your retirement stories. From trips to the Arctic to helping with food banks and returning to education, we’ve heard truly unique and inspiring retirement stories.

Read some of the stories we received from people living colourful retirements.

Tina's story

Few people have the foresight to start planning their retirement in their 30s. But Tina began to lay the foundations for her current life more than 20 years ago.

Jennifer's story

Carol's story

Two years after retirement Carol and her husband moved to an idyllic Cotswold village; 14 years later they moved 30 miles north, back to Solihull where they had lived previously.

Ching-Fu's story

After lifesaving surgery, she was told never to let what happened get in the way of achieving her goals. 20 years later, Ching-Fu still isn’t.

Jill's story

Retirement changed the way Jill enjoys exercise - including the addition of a Sprocker Spaniel running partner.

Peter's story

June’s story

Think you don’t have the budget to go travelling in later life? Talk to June and you’ll think again.

Patrick's travel story

Travel has pushed him into experiences that he now considers highlights of his life. Take the sky dive at Lake Wanaka on New Zealand’s South Island.

Elizabeth’s story

Nothing fazes Elizabeth. Key to her travels is not only an adventurous spirit, but also a curiosity about different places and people.

Robert's story

The desire to travel is often seen as the urge to explore faraway places – a couple of months in Australia, six weeks in the Far East. But Robert’s sights are set much closer to home.

Patrick's story

Coming out as he approached 40 was a shock, but since then Patrick has enjoyed years volunteering with the LGBT+ community and travelling the world.

Annie's story

Ted's story

At 84, Ted has found self-acceptance in retirement after spending many years hiding his authentic self.

Sylvia’s story

Sylvia expected to spend her retirement relaxing. Soon she found herself running her local foodbank and helping friends plan their retirements.

Ebo's story

There are plenty of different ways of choosing a project that inspires in later life. For some people, it’s their immediate community. For others, it’s a hobby such as music, writing or wild swimming.

David's story

Nigel's story

Nigel's retirement has been full of creativity and community. With no plans of slowing down when he stopped working, he produced a music album and published a book of poetry, but by 2016 the needs of his local community came calling.

Rosetta's story

Retiring five years ago, Rosetta's taken skills and lessons learnt throughout her working life and shared them with people across the world. Her inspiring story proves that retirement can mark the start of creative freedom.

Jacky's story

Retirement can be the perfect time to explore a second or even a third career, as Jacky found out when she went back to university in her 50s and embarked upon a new career adventure.

Mick's story

Mick was able to turn his lifelong love of skiing into a career after the age of 50. Now retired, he still works part time teaching novice skiers how to get down the slopes.

Introducing our inspirational new podcast series

We've released a new series of our podcast, Rewirement. Join host Angellica Bell as she chats to people living inspiring retirements. From enjoying life to the full with new challenges, community projects and travelling the world. Plus our experts share their tips on how you can make your retirement dreams a reality.

Listen to Rewirement podcast

Colourful Retirement Stories