Third of 50-year-olds switch career
Almost a third of people in their 50s have switched to a different career, mainly after being made redundant, according to a new study.Some just wanted a change of direction in their life or wanted a less stressful job, a survey of 2,000 people aged over 50 by HSBC also found.
Examples of career changes included a teacher who retrained to become a florist, while others cut down drastically on their workload, such as a solicitor who now only writes wills.
Just over half of those questioned said they could never imagine stopping work altogether, mainly for financial reasons.
David Wells, head of pensions, savings and investments at HSBC, said: "As the requirement for people to work longer becomes more apparent, it appears that the over-50s are embracing this head-on and pursuing the careers they have always wanted.
"Many, it seems, are doing this to fill a shortfall in retirement income but, equally, many are looking to embrace new skills and challenges that may now only become possible after careful financial planning during their earlier working life."
"Many, it seems, are doing this to fill a shortfall in retirement income but, equally, many are looking to embrace new skills and challenges that may now only become possible after careful financial planning during their earlier working life."
© 2010 Press Association