The Age 55 Survey took place between 2013 and 2014. This was the first time we asked you to complete a survey via the internet. More than 9,000 of you took part with two thirds doing so online. The remainder were interviewed by telephone.
What we asked
The Age 55 Survey asked about who you lived with, relationships, where you lived, family life including caring for parents and grandchildren, work, pensions and expectations relating to retirement, health and leisure activities.
When you were 55…
- Almost 2 in 5 of you were grandparents. Among those of you with grandchildren, nearly 3 in 5 reported looking after them at least once a month. Among those who provided regular care, the average time spent looking after grandchildren was 8 hours a week.
- On average men said there was a 73% chance of being in work at 60 and a 43% chance of being in work at 66. On average women said there was a 64% chance of being in work at 60 and a 34% chance of being in work at 66.
- Just under half of you reported that your health was ‘excellent’ or ‘very good’. Just over 1 in 20 (6%) reported that your health was poor.
- 1 in 7 were regular smokers.
