Almost as many people think their retirement will include part-time volunteering or charitable work.

The figures come from a survey of almost 1,700 local residents carried out by Island Global Research for the charity Aging Well in the Bailliwick.

“This reflects a redefinition of retirement, with many seeing work as a way to supplement their income to meet their financial needs, or to stay mentally and socially engaged, or to share their skills and expertise in flexible, work-friendly roles. seniors”, declared the president of the association. David Inglis.

“These findings highlight the need for workplaces to meet the unique demands of older workers, for example by offering part-time or project-based opportunities.”

This vast survey made it possible to collect the future expectations of 1,054 residents who have not yet retired. He also gave an overview of the current experiences of 619 people who are already retired.

The results will be discussed with MPs tomorrow during a presentation organized by Aging Well at the Bailliage.

One in three retirees said their home was bigger than they needed, and one in four people who have not yet retired said they were concerned that their current home might not meet the needs to their future retirement needs.

“These findings highlight the changing housing needs of retirees, highlighting the importance of providing diverse housing options, such as smaller, accessible housing or retirement communities that meet their changing needs. way of life,” Mr Inglis said.

A separate study by the Environment and Infrastructure Committee found 82% of households with retirees had at least one more bedroom than they needed and some of them would like to move.

Writing in the Guernsey Press today, E&I president Lindsay de Sausmarez acknowledged the barriers faced by older people who want to move for a variety of reasons. She said states are looking for ways to support people in this situation.

“One of the biggest hurdles is finding suitable properties to move into due to the particular shortage of smaller homes. It’s changing for the better,” she said.

“Most of the homes awaiting planning permission are now for the type of smaller units we know people are looking for.

“There may also be demand for different types of development specifically aimed at retirees – one of the areas which I believe merits further exploration.”

This is part of work we will begin next year to see what we can do to help people stay in their own homes for longer – something which not only benefits them, but could also alleviate some of the increasing pressure on our lives in the long term. care sector.

When survey respondents were asked about their housing preferences in retirement, they said the most important factor was having off-street parking at home. The next most important factors were having private outdoor space, an easy-to-maintain home with spare rooms, the ability to have a pet on site, and being within walking distance of business market.

“The survey results paint a picture of a dynamic and evolving retirement landscape,” Mr Inglis said.

“Retirees and those planning for retirement are placing more importance on convenient living arrangements, continued engagement in the workforce and lifestyle amenities.

“This information provides valuable guidance to policymakers, businesses and community planners who aim to meet the needs of an aging population.”