British pensioners are feeling younger than ever, survey shows

Is 60 is the new 40? Spritely British pensioners are feeling younger than ever, survey shows

• Nearly half of over-60s have said insisted that old age begins when you hit 76
• Research shows most pensioners feel about 12 years younger than actual age 
• One in ten people had more energy than their children and could work as a spy 
• This is down to puzzles, playing sports and spending time with grandchildren 

It used to be assumed that old age began when you started drawing your pension. But apparently it now starts when you hit 76.

That’s the figure which has emerged from a survey of over-60s, with nearly half insisting that ’60 is the new 40′. 

The research, from activity provider Treasure Trails, found that most pensioners feel about 12 years younger than their actual age – thanks to activities such as playing sports, solving puzzles and spending time with their grandchildren.

One in ten even said they had more energy than their children and would be capable of working as a spy or a private investigator. 

It used to be assumed that old age began when you started drawing your pension. But apparently it now starts when you hit 76 (file image)

Aaron Hutchens, of Treasure Trails, said: ‘Today’s grandparents feel younger than ever before’. 

The research found that the average Briton aged 60 or over feels 12 years 5 months younger than their actual age.

Indeed, 22 per cent claim to feel 20 years younger and 46 per cent insist they feel more spritely and more able than their parents did at the same age.

More than one in five say playing with grandchildren helps keep them young and two thirds (64%) credit ‘solving puzzles’ with keeping their mind from deteriorating.

One in ten play sport with their grandchildren (10 per cent) and 11 per cent confound stereotypes by enjoying gaming with the youngsters on consoles or tablets and smartphones.

In addition, 5 per cent love visiting escape rooms and 1 per cent even enjoy adrenaline sports such as kitesurfing, skydiving or downhill mountain.

As February half term approaches, many families will be asking older relatives to help keep their kids entertained.

With 33 per cent of grandparents most enjoying physical outdoor and sport activities with their grandchildren, closely followed by 31 per cent enjoying code breaking and solving mysteries, it would seem a digital detox may be on the cards.

Dr David Abrutat, a historian at GCHQ and expert in intelligence and security services, said: ‘Since spycraft began there have always been codes and ciphers to break, with data analysis that goes on behind the scenes.

‘It’s so great to see that grandparents are still solving puzzles – perhaps the British intelligence services could see some new recruits coming through in their 70s.’

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