What does a colourful retirement look like to you? Share your plans or experiences of retirement with Legal and General - £300 voucher to be won AND chance to win a £200 voucher!

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Think positively. Do something slightly daring. I go kayaking at 77. Wild swimming. Enjoy the Grandkids. Take an interest in things. Walk everyday in beautiful places & do Pilates.

Retirement is fantastic. Not rushing so much. Time for walking,reading, kayaking, cycling. Also travelling more and seeing some of the world. More time seeing our family too.

Lots more time spent in my garden and with my family

Sadly I can no longer get out & about but when I did retire initially I was housebound for a few years but then managed to achieve a few life goals by entering competitions to win holidays I could never afford. Before I became ill this time I managed to win a cruise, a safari holiday, a Christmas market holiday & lots of London theatre trips & luxury spa breaks which were all amazing. I may no longer be able to go on holiday but I have many happy memories to look back on

Our retirement plans changed dramatically when our son (only child) moved to Australia. Before the move, we had been hands-on grandparents involved in childcare, family weekends, holidays together, and so on. The move didn’t go well, and a short time later, our son and his wife were divorced. His now ex-wife came back to England while our son and two grandchildren remained in Australia. Our son married again, and two new grandchildren quickly followed, but before the children arrived there was a wedding in Fiji.

My husband and I hadn’t been abroad for several years, but that all changed when our son asked his dad to be his best-man. The long, long flight to Fiji was hell on earth, but we did it, and suddenly a whole new world opened to us. Since then we’ve been to Australia for the births of both our new grandchildren and another trip for their joint Christening. We’ve also seen approximately three-quarters of Australia a place we didn’t expect ever to visit. Last year we spent a month in New Zealand visiting both the North and South Islands. We’ve climbed cliffs, swam in the sea, been on funfair rides, spent time in the Outback, learnt to canoe and had a magical encounter with Dolphins.

On the downsides, we’ve encountered one poisonous snake, several deadly spiders, endured one spider bite (unpleasant but not life-threatening) and came much too close to a huge bush fire. All life experiences we didn’t expect to have! We have also had the joy of learning to change nappies all over again, cared for two small children while their mummy and daddy worked and felt much younger for it.

I intend on doing as many arts and crafts as I possibly can. Art will certainly make my life colourful!

Plans - none. Live each day and just see what happens

Since retiring I have taken the opportunity to travel to different countries around the world, including China, India, South Africa, Vietnam, Cambodia, and many places in Europe too. I'm trying to get the long distance travelling completed while I'm still fit enough to do so. Retirement has also given me the time to spend with my 95 year old parents, and to look after grandchildren. So retirement for me, so far, has been wonderful. I just hope that I'm saying the same in 10 years. And no, I don't identify with most of the images portrayed by the advertising industry!

Seeing the colours of the world for us. Done lots of far flung travel, leaving Europe until we are no longer able to do long haul.

In between we have moved somewhere more convenient for our old age (if it comes!) and nearer to family who we have been able to help out. Currently doing their garden.

It is simply great to be able to do things on impulse, go to the cricket on a sunny day, book a last minute holiday or simply go to visit friends.

It is also good to do absolutely nothing on days when we feel like it!

We are fortunate that we were able to be prudent in our younger years and save for our pensions so that, although far from rich, we do have a comfortable retirement. We are also lucky to be healthy which helps.

After the first page I hardly know any of these names! Do competitions get shared on some website and bring in lots of temporary new members?

Health, energy, no broken bones and still living friends!

Agree with many OF the sentiments on here: those in retirement aren't past it. They are valuable, contributing members of society. With the working age being pushed ever further from our current age, when is retirement?! There is no typical age anymore! I hope that in my 60's, 70's (and maybe beyond!) I am hoping to still be enjoying an active working life, travelling, meeting new people, experiencing life I haven't experienced before.

I do all the things I did before but have more time to devote to them.

i'd love to buy a camper van and tour Europe

So far in our retirement we have been to Venice, Seville, Santorini and many other lovely places. We go to shows (Michael Bublé being the latest and best ), food festivals, lots of great things. We have been lucky so far, although my husband has cancer but thankfully in remission at the moment. No slippers and cocoa for us yet.

I fully intend on travelling around the world in my camper van renting my houses out to fund this along with our pension which I will be taking early of course I will spend time with my grandkids and children in between but I feel we have done everything we can for our family made sacrifices and worked hard so retirement is are time to do what we want

join National Trust and Historic Houses and other societies.
Visit as many places as possible and enjoy. not expensive if you choose wisely and a good day out.

Prior to retirement we moved to a rural area. Once we retired we took up lots of activities we liked but didn't have time to do Pilates Zumba swimming literary society for me history group for DH who also helped set up a men's shed in the town. Positives we both lost weight and became fitter this helped us indulge in our shared hobby of travelling we got a wall map which is filling up nicely as we mark places we have visited both in the UK and abroad. We're trying to visit as many as possible before we hit 70 as travel insurance companies all seem to think premiums need to increase drastically at 70 which is irritating when I do often read appeals for money to help young people who need help to return home after accidents etc. The main joy of retirement is having time to spend with DGC.

Hopefully stay fit & well to enjoy retirement by having more time to spend helping out with family. Also if money isn’t a problem, travelling as & when suits. Theatre trips with friends

Do you have exciting plans for retirement?

My OH took early retirement, (more because he hated his job and the payout seemed good) we have bought a small caravan by the coast and go there for a few weeks a year, I am not sure it is a good purchase - I wish we had taken more time to consider this purchase - anyooo, I am on flexible retirement - so still have one foot in the water so to speak. I want to keep my toe in this water as long as possible. I love interacting with work colleagues, and keeping my mind and body and have structure to my life. So far my retirement plans are not so exciting, We really need to invest in our twilight years.

Maybe you’re going to travel around the world - or maybe you’ve already have?

We have only travelled in the UK, but that's just fine, it is what makes us happy.

Has your retirement inspired you to pursue something new? If so, what was it, and how did it enrich your life?

Retirement is something I really don't want to do, my part time job keeps me just fine, My retired OH has really not benefitted from early retirement, he has no goals, structure or hobbies to keep his mind and body active, I am trying to get him back into part time work. We really need to plan our retirements - the grass is not always greener.

Reminded by another post above, fogot to mention hammering the National Trust, English Heritage, Historic Houses, Art Fund and WWT membership cards.

The freedom to holiday whenever you want - whether it's a day a t the seaside or a an adventure lasting several weeks.

We downsized in our 50's and travel when and where we want. Always conscious, though, that good health and Luck don't last for ever. We just make the most of it.

We’re building our own house, there’s lots of life left in us yet!

I would love to travel more and take up a few hobbies