Over 60s Brits Are Still Reaping The Rewards Of Post-Covid Flexible Working

A new study of working Brits suggests today’s generation of sixty-somethings have been able to prepare for retirement better than their predecessors, with a quarter (26 percent) having been able to take up new interests and hobbies, while they continue to work from home.

According to the survey of 2,000 working Brits of all ages, as many as 67 percent of employed over-60s are currently in a hybrid role, while more than a third (33 percent) are still able to work from home every day.

And this has been the ideal way to ease into retirement, with seven in ten (70 percent) of over-60s saying not having to tackle the daily commute has made working life better, according to the study by Smart Energy GB.

Remote working has given older working Brits a new lease of life, according to the poll, with as many as 94 percent saying that their daily life is better as a result, thanks to less stress (66 percent) and more time to spend with their other half (31 percent).

One in four (24 percent) saying that being at home has given them more time to focus on healthier cooking, health and fitness (16 percent).

Four in ten (37 percent) have gone a step further and started a "side hustle", with tutoring (23 percent), getting paid to test apps and websites (20 percent), buying and reselling clothes (17 percent), gardening (15 percent) and writing a blog (15 percent) all earning over-60s a bit of extra cash.

And those in their golden working years are enjoying working remotely, more than younger generations (65 percent said they loved it, compared to just 60 percent of under 29-year-olds)

Being able to manage their own time (64 percent) and having a better work/life balance (57 percent) has proved so valuable, that one in four (25 percent) have been able to take up a new hobby, in preparation for giving up work completely.

Walking (48 percent), gardening (23 percent), running (19 percent), meditation (18 percent) and yoga (17 percent) are the top choices for older remote workers.

It’s no surprise that over half (56 percent) of older workers say they think they have reaped the benefits of remote working more than their younger counterparts, with 70 percent saying it has been a positive change for them.

Despite this, 71 percent admit that working from home means that they are using more energy, with three quarters (75 percent) saying that it is the only downside.

Six in ten (59 percent) are now using more energy powering their computer for the whole day, while 40 percent turn the heating on for longer during winter.

28 percent have the TV playing in the background, with a further 20 percent admitting they put the washing machine on more often than when they were working away from home.

As a result, 85 percent are exploring ways to reduce their energy bills where possible, with half (48 percent) even admitting they will be heading back to the office more this winter to save on heating.

A spokesperson for Smart Energy GB, which commissioned the study said:
“Our research shows that many Brits, particularly those over 60, are embracing flexibility, both at work and in other aspects of their life too.

“However, if you’re spending more time at home, it’s worth being aware of how much energy you’re using and when you’re using it. The best way to do this is by asking your energy supplier to upgrade your analogue energy meter to a smart meter. It comes with an in-home display, which allows you to keep track of your energy usage and how much it's costing you. A smart meter could also help you to access schemes and tariffs that can reward you for using energy flexibly, potentially helping you to save money on your bills.”

Nine in ten (91 percent) of the 2,000 over-60s polled say they are happy with their career.


The Energy Saving Trust’s tips for pensioners working from home this winter…

Some quick actions you can do while working from home to help save money on your energy bills include:

Only boiling the amount of water you need each time you make a hot drink could save you around £9 a year.

Reducing your dishwasher use by one cycle a week and only running when full could save you up to £11 a year.

Turning off and unplugging devices that are not in use around your home could save you up to £40 a year.

Making sure lights are off in rooms not in use could save you £7 a year.

Cutting out one weekly washing machine cycle could save you £11 a year.

A smart meter can also help you track how much energy you use. They come with an in-home display which shows how much energy you’re using, when you’re using it, and how much it costs.