After a lifetime of working hard , pensioners deserve to raise a toast to retirement . And these days they ’ re doing just that – enjoying a daily tipple at 6.30pm . Some prefer to crack open a bottle a little earlier , around 4pm , but others can ’ t even wait that long ... and say cheers with their first glass at lunchtime . Researchers found the majority of pensioners are making the most of their later years with a packed diary of social engagements , days out , short breaks , holidays and shopping , as well as time spent outside ( file image ) With such a relaxed start to the day , it ’ s no wonder that a poll of retirees aged 60 and over found 94 per cent are enjoying their post-work life , while half said they are having more fun than ever before . Improvements in healthcare and living standards mean that these days pensioners have the energy to manage a hectic social diary , buoyed up by an average disposable income of £330 a month , which allows them to go on three holidays , two weekends away and 17 day trips a year . The survey found that 6.30pm is retirees ’ favourite time to enjoy a tipple or two . A third of those polled said they drink alcohol between 6pm and 7pm , while one in ten prefer a late afternoon drink between 4pm and 5pm , and a hardy one in 20 kick off their socialising between 1pm and 3pm . More than half said they drink wine , while the rest opt for spirits or beer . The study also showed that most pensioners eat out three times a month , but one in ten do so more than twice a week . This is despite family commitments , with retirees dedicating an average of six hours a week to looking after their grandchildren . Of those who do not already care for grandchildren , two-thirds said they would like to in the future . The average retirement consists of a daily glass of wine at 6.30pm , research has found ( file picture ) Most said they are active and exercise at least six times a month . The most popular activities are brisk walking , gardening and rambling . But a more ambitious 17 per cent participate in cycling , Zumba or salsa dancing . And one in 20 take at least five weekend breaks in Britain every year . Almost three-quarters said they feel a lot younger than their actual age , with the same proportion saying retirement is better than they expected . It ’ s no wonder then that 20 per cent of those polled said they wish they had retired years ago . Going on a cruise , taking up a new hobby and buying a dog are common achievements in the first year of retirement , while IT lessons and losing weight were also popular among those polled . Shortly after retiring , a third said they booked lunch dates with friends , a quarter revamped their house and one in ten signed up to Facebook . A glamorous few said they plan to or had already invested in makeovers or cosmetic surgery . Senior Railcard , which runs a rail discount scheme for train companies , polled 1,260 pensioners . Andrew Robertson , of Senior Railcard , said : ‘ Our poll showed that adults in their 60s , 70s and 80s are determined to make the most of life in retirement and have no intention of slowing down . ‘ For so much of our lives we are restricted by our working hours , so if pensioners are filling their time with holidays , day trips and meals out , that can only be a good thing . ‘ This research shows that retirees place a lot of importance on travel when they finish work. ’ A separate report published yesterday said the average pensioner had made almost £1,200 a month from their home in the last six months . Soaring property prices meant London homeowners were the biggest winners , making £20,700 a month since August , financial specialist Key Retirement said . Going on foreign or UK travel . Meeting friends for lunches . Decorating the house . Buying a new car . Renovating the house . Taking up a new hobby . Joining Facebook . Going on road trips . Going on a cruise . Losing weight . Visiting work colleagues . Going on a luxurious holiday . Buying a smaller house . Getting a dog . Getting a lesson in IT or the internet . Buying a bigger house . Moving nearer to the grandchildren . Joining Twitter . Buying a holiday home . Buying a motorhome .
Survey found typical pensioner enjoys three 'slap-up ' meals out per month . They also plan two weekends away per year and 17 day trips , poll showed . A quarter decide to redecorate their home while one in ten join Facebook . The survey of 2,000 people by the National Pensioners Convention (NPC) revealed that a third of pensioners are planning to travel abroad for holidays this summer - with almost half saying they will take up work