18 - 24
years old
The Pension Confidence Index
A quarterly measure of the mood of the nation when it comes to their retirement outlook.
How do we all feel about retirement? Whether at retirement age or nowhere near it yet, this index tracks sentiment around long-term finance and the reasons behind it.
Latest headline findings:
Brits feel more positive than negative about their retirement outlook, with a Pension Confidence Indicator of +28 in September 2024.
Over 55s remain more positive about their retirement outlook than under 55s, from September 2023 to September 2024.
The State Pension remains a key factor behind whether people, of all ages, feel good or bad about their future.
48%
Currently feel positive about their pension
0%
Increase in positivity compared to the previous index
Top reason for positive sentiment: “My employer contributions are relatively good” (39%)
35%
Plan to increase contributions as top pension priority
Top reason for negative sentiment: "I can't afford to contribute enough" (26%)
25 - 34
years old
49%
Feel positive about their pension
4%
Increase in positivity compared to the previous index
Top reason for positive sentiment: “My employer contributions are relatively good" (51%)
48%
Plan to increase contributions as top pension priority
Top reason for negative sentiment: “I think my pension pot is small” (32%)
35 - 44
years old
49%
Feel positive about their pension
4%
Increase in positivity compared to the previous index
Top reason for positive sentiment: "My employer contributions are relatively good" (47%)
44%
Plan to increase contributions as top pension priority
Top reason for negative sentiment: "I think my pension pot is small" (38%)
45 - 54
years old
49%
Feel positive about their pension
4%
Increase in positivity compared to the previous index
Top reason for positive sentiment: “My employer contributions are relatively good" (47%)
38%
Plan to increase contributions as top pension priority
Top reason for negative sentiment: "I think my pension pot is small" (38%)
55 - 64
years old
51%
Feel positive about their pension
3%
Decrease in positivity compared to the previous index
Top reason for positive sentiment: "I'm entitled to the full State Pension" (60%)
Top reason for negative sentiment: "I wish I had saved more for retirement" (33%)
65 +
years old
74%
Feel positive about their pension
1%
Decrease in positivity compared to the previous index
Top reason for positive sentiment: "I'm entitled to the full State Pension" (65%)
Top reason for negative sentiment: “I don't trust the government to maintain a decent State Pension" (28%)
*Source: PensionBee, a nationally representative sample size of 2,000 people, with half of the respondents under age 55 (the age people can access their private pensions) and half over 55.
Want to know something specific about pension sentiment in the UK? Please get in touch at [email protected] to request further regional, gender and other demographic breakdowns.
Compare against previous indexes
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