Over-50s in the UK are now looking to change their 'life direction' after retirement rather than merely relax in their later years as has been custom in the past, new research has shown.

Ahead of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations, Saga has contrasted the lifestyles of over-50s in 1952 with those today.

The organisation's survey revealed that those aged 50 and over are now looking forward to a new lease of life when they retire, while over-50s around in 1952 just expected to relax.

This could be due to rising levels of life expectancy, with today's 65-year-olds looking forward to living ten years longer than their 1952 counterparts.

Furthermore, the survey also showed that savings were used for a 'rainy day' or major event such as Christmas in 1952, whereas now they are used to keep older people's 'heads above water'.

Ros Altmann, director-general of Saga, claimed that older people's lives have transformed over the past 60 years.

She said: "Most notably, just as progress has meant that many older people now face longer active lives well beyond their 60s, they are equally often faced with looking after children, grandchildren and elderly relatives.

"Many of our older generations have had no other choice but to keep calm and carry on over the years."