While other retirees with a reasonable monthly income might prefer to save and leave an inheritance for their children, she and her husband, Geoff, prefer to spend their money making the most of life.
“We love traveling to Scotland,” says Sarah, who worked as a school administrator.
"We've been to Cambridgeshire, which we think is beautiful. We often go to a country house in the Lake District, and we're planning to go to Norfolk."
The couple travel four or five times a year and spend hundreds of pounds each trip. For Sarah, "you only live once."
They recently sold their classic Sunbeam Alpine convertible to exchange it for a Mazda MX-5, a more modern, sporty, two-seater model.
"I've reached an age where I go to the funerals of friends and acquaintances, and I think you need to live life and enjoy it as long as possible, because it's a very precious asset," he says.
Sarah and Geoff are part of a trend that is gaining momentum in several countries: spending their own money during retirement, instead of saving assets to leave to their children.
According to a report released in March by pension company Standard Life, 15% of British parents with children of all ages plan to prioritize using their own money during retirement rather than leaving an inheritance.
In the United States, the percentage of people who expected to receive an inheritance from their parents fell to 20% last year, compared to 25% who expected to receive this money in 2024, according to a study by the financial services company Northwestern Mutual.
'It's crazy to expect to receive an inheritance'
Sarah and Geoff have two adult daughters. One of them, Poppy, told the BBC that she is happy for her parents to go out and enjoy life.
She completely rejects the idea that she and her sister should expect to receive an inheritance.
"For me, this is crazy. It never crossed my mind that I would receive money when my parents died. I would much rather they do what they want."
Mike Ambery, director of retirement and savings at Standard Life, believes the growth of this trend in the UK is related to the disappearance of final salary-based pension plans, which guarantee monthly payments throughout the retiree's life.
Instead, more and more people in the UK are relying on defined contribution plans, the funds for which can run out.
Ambery believes it's easier to leave an inheritance when you know your retirement income will last until your death.
He also says that retirees simply want to enjoy life after years of work.
"It's simply allowing yourself some small pleasures to enjoy life. Let's be real: working life can be very hard for some people."
Of course, not all retirees are in a good financial situation.
In the United Kingdom, 16% of the retired population lives in poverty, according to the charity Joseph Rowntree Foundation.
In the United States, the rate is 15.4%, according to recently released data.
At the same time, according to the Institute for Fiscal Studies, a British think tank, the disposable income of retirees in the United Kingdom — excluding housing costs — has increased more over the last three decades than that of people who are not yet retired.
According to official data, around 69% of retirees in the United Kingdom have a private pension in addition to their public pension. In the United States, this percentage is 56%.
'I'm spending it all'
Karen Green, 60, says she has always been very honest with her children.
"I was very clear in telling them that I probably won't leave an inheritance because I imagine I'll spend it all."
Originally from Berkshire, Karen has lived in Provence, in the south of France, for 11 years and spends more than US$13,000 (R$67,000) a year on travel.
"This year I'm going on a yoga retreat. I did one in March, in Morocco", he says. "Then, between October and November, I'm going to Vietnam and Laos for a little trip."
She considers herself semi-retired and complements her private retirement with some business consultancy work — an activity she carried out full time.
She says her monthly income is also about the same as when she worked full-time.
In addition to retirement and income from extra work, 40% of their resources come from renting a property.
Karen says she doesn't consider herself a "spender" but that she likes to "find good deals."
Like Sarah Moorhouse, she will only be able to receive the British public pension at age 67.
Currently, the basic benefit is US$16,700 (R$86,000) per year for those who reach public retirement age after April 2016, but the amount is expected to increase next year.
In the United States, on the other hand, retirees receive public benefits known as Social Security.
The maximum annual amount for those who retire at age 67, considered full retirement age, is US$49,824 (around R$257,000).
From the age of 62, however, it is possible to choose to receive a lower benefit.
Matthew Loveless, vice president of Northwestern Mutual, a company based in Ohio, USA, says that retirees need to be honest with their adult children, as some may be counting on an inheritance that they intend to depend on.
Sarah says that, despite the expenses, she intends to leave something for her children.
Meanwhile, he's already planning his next vacation. "I've worked hard my whole life and I think I deserve to have some free time and be able to do things I enjoy."
With information from Miguel Roca-Terry.
