We asked thousands of our readers to share how they felt about life, money, politics and society in 2025 – and the results paint a fascinating picture of a generation that’s resilient, realistic and not afraid to speak its mind.
Positive outlook – Despite life’s challenges
Almost half (46%) of respondents said they felt positive about life right now, with a further 31% feeling neutral. Only a small minority described themselves as “very positive” – a sign perhaps of cautious optimism rather than exuberance.
Health tops the list of priorities
When it comes to what matters most, the message was clear: health is the top priority.
A huge 87% said “maintaining or improving my health” was their main focus, followed by “financial security” (46%) and “spending more time with family” (39%).
Yet there’s a clear undercurrent of concern about finances. More than half (56%) say they’re not better off than ten years ago, and only one in ten feel “extremely confident” about their financial future. The majority are “somewhat confident” – but nearly 34% admit they’re not confident at all.
Pensions, politics and distrust
Few subjects triggered stronger feelings than pensions and politics.
Over two-thirds (67%) believe pensions should be passed on tax-free, and a striking 78% don’t trust the government to protect them in the long term.
That sense of scepticism extends to politics more broadly: 68% say no UK political party truly represents the over-50s, and almost half (45%) simply don’t care who the next Prime Minister is.
When asked about current political issues, nearly 70% said “political correctness has gone too far”, and 68% feel their generation is unfairly blamed for today’s housing and economic challenges.
Travel dreams and realistic plans
Despite financial caution, the appetite for travel remains strong.
A quarter of respondents expect to take two holidays next year, while one in five plan at least one. The most popular types of holiday are relaxation breaks (36%), city breaks (29%) and cultural holidays (28%).
Nearly 30% expect to take a mix of UK and overseas trips, with another 23% staying mainly within the UK – suggesting a balance between aspiration and practicality.
Health debates: Assisted dying, the NHS and ageing
Our survey also explored some of the most sensitive health topics of the moment. A remarkable 81% believe society places too much value on extending life over quality of life. Six in ten (61%) support assisted dying for the terminally ill, while another 24% would support it more broadly.
Views on the NHS are divided: almost half (46%) support limited extra charges for the very obese only in extreme cases, and just over half (53%) favour stricter driving tests for over-70s only where there are medical concerns.
Technology and the Digital Divide
Far from being technophobes, most over-50s are digitally confident: 68% describe themselves as “somewhat confident” and 18% “extremely confident”.
Interest is growing in artificial intelligence, alongside ongoing curiosity about basic computer and mobile skills.
More than half pay for one or two TV streaming services each month, while a third happily use none – proof that this audience remains selective and values quality over quantity.
Climate, culture and generational divides
On climate change, the majority (56%) believe it’s partly caused by human activity, and most think lifestyle change should come after government and corporate action.
Generational tensions remain strong: 84% think younger generations are “too easily offended”, and an overwhelming 87% oppose giving 16-year-olds the vote.
Yet the majority (79%) oppose restricting voting rights to taxpayers, and many support national service for at least some young people – suggesting that while traditional in values, this generation still believes in fairness and social responsibility.
A generation that still cares deeply
This year’s results show that Britain’s over-50s are far from passive spectators in national life. They care deeply about health, fairness, and the future – even as trust in institutions continues to erode.
They’re financially cautious but socially active, realistic but far from resigned. And as our data shows, they remain one of the most engaged, thoughtful and outspoken communities in the UK.
(Article source: Silver Surfers)
