KACTS & FIGURES Mapping Out Retirement Travels (NAPS)—For many Americans, retirement is prime time for vacation travel. A recent study found 57 percent of retirees vacation for at least 35 days a year. In addi- tion, 37 percent of retirees say traveling is their favorite activity. When they’re not on the road, 19 percent of retirees enjoy hobbies, 18 percent play sports and 16 percent volunteer, according to the study. Socializing was found to be a big part of retirement as well, with 10 percent of retirees saying spending time with friends is among their favorite activities. (Only seven percent of working people said the same thing.) The study by AXA, a financial management and wealth protection company, revealed a general trend of working people looking forward to retiring—and retirees enjoying being retired. One reason, the study suggests, may be the similarity between the anticipated and actual standard of living in retirement. The study found 72 percent of retirees feel their standard ofliving has remained the sameor improved since retirement—and two out of three workers feel their standard of living will improve when they retire. By way of comparison, more than 50 percent of German workers expect their standard of living to decrease after retirement. A second reason for the positive outlook on retirement may have to do with family. The study ANS ir .' jv. 4 sl Two out of three workers feel their standard of living will improve whentheyretire. found 94 percent of children said they support their retired parents by visiting regularly and 75 percent of retirees feel they can count on family should they becomeill. That’s not to say, however, that retirees are dependent on family. Only 30 percent expect financial aid from their working children and only one percent say they spend most of their time at their children’s homes. The study found community life to be important for retirees as well. Eighty percent of retirees said they feel it’s important they get involved with communitylife and join associations. Of course, grandchildren are important to retirees, too. Nearly 90 percent of respondentssaid it’s important that retirees look after their grandkids. For more information, visit www.axa-financial.com.
