Most investors expect to and want to work either part-time or full-time during their so called retirement years, according to a survey from Baltimore-based T. Rowe Price.

An estimated 69 percent of investors between the ages of 21 to 50 indicated that they plan to work in their traditional retirement years, the survey says. And among those who plan to work at least part-time, 75 percent said they will do so because they want to stay active and involved. An estimated 23 percent of those investors queried said they'll likely be working beyond retirement because they won't have saved enough money to retire comfortably.

The study was conducted online in December by Harris Interactive on behalf of T. Rowe Price. The survey queried 860 adults aged 21-50 who have at least one investment account. The findings are included in a T. Rowe Price survey about individual retirement accounts (IRAs) and the investing practices of people from ages 35-50 and those ages 21-34.

Christine Fahlund, senior financial planner with T. Rowe Price, says the survey results may be outlining the blueprint for a new generation's vision of retirement that will include a more active lifestyle and, for some, continued work or even a second career. "Looking ahead, many younger investors are ready to adopt this relatively new approach to retirement, as well," he said. "It's encouraging that they plan to do this as a choice and not out of financial necessity."

Other survey findings among investors aged 21-50 include:

The mean age at which they plan to retire is 62.

The mean number of years they expect to live in retirement is 22.

77 percent expect tax rates will increase between now and when they retire.

43 percent expect a part-time job to be a source of income during their retired years.

However, Fahlund advises investors who opt to work beyond retirement should use the salary earned during those years to fund their lifestyle, and not draw upon their accumulated savings. In addition, such investors should put their financial houses in order before they fully retire, including paying off mortgages and other debts, and purchasing any big-ticket items they think they might need or want in retirement.

"Working and playing at the same time during their 60s won't be the ideal approach for everyone, but it underscores the need for young investors to begin saving for retirement as early and as much as possible," Fahlund said. "That's the key factor in eventually having enough money to start retirement and being able to stop working at a time of one's own choosing."

T. Rowe Price is a global investment management organization with $489.5 billion in assets under management as of December 31, 2011.