Approaching retirement with a blindfold on

• Two in five (40%) employed 46 to 55-year-olds do not know how much they have saved for retirement.
• Half (49%) of UK employees aged 22 to 65 believe they need to be saving more as average annual pension savings per active saver sink to record low.
• The emotion most commonly associated with people’s savings is worry (18%), with women most likely to agree (23%).

Two in five (40%) working adults aged 46-55 are approaching retirement without knowing how much they have saved in their pensions, despite closing in on the age they can access their pension savings for the first time, according to Aviva’s ‘Savers vs Spenders’ report¹.

The study amongst employees aged 22 to 65 – the age criteria currently used for automatic enrolment pension schemes – reveals nearly a third (31%) admit to not knowing how much they have saved in their pensions. Surprisingly, this peaks at 40% for 46 to 55s, compared to just 24% of employees aged 22 to 30. 

The ‘Savers vs Spenders' league table

The report also looked at whether people identify themselves as a saver or a spender and where they live. This showed that Leeds has the highest proportion of savers while London has the highest proportion of spenders.

The need to save more

Figures released earlier this year by the Department for Work and Pensions reveal workplace pension participation is at an all-time high, reaching 84% of eligible employees in 2017, up from 77% a year earlier².

However, the average amount being saved by each active saver is at a record low of £5,110³ per year (2017) and this figure may be inflated by higher earners saving a greater proportion of their salary. Aviva’s research also shows that almost half (49%) of working adults aged 22 to 65 believe they need to be saving more.

The reality of needing to save more is not lost on those who are already at their potential retirement age, with 40% of employees aged 56 to 65 agreeing they need to do so – though a similar proportion (38%) say they are saving enough. Workers aged 31 to 45 are the most keenly aware of the need to increase their savings (52%). 

Pensions pride or savings stress?

Aviva’s research reveals an even split between those feeling positive and those feeling negative about their savings – 42% feel secure, confident, proud or excited while 41% feel worried, disappointed, stressed, regretful or panicked. 

The most common emotion associated with people’s current savings levels is negative, with almost one in five (18%) describing themselves as ‘worried’. However, this is followed by the more positive ‘secure’ (15%) and ‘confident’ (14%).

Some of the responses do however highlight stark differences between men and women. Almost a quarter (23%) of women say they feel worried about their level of savings compared to just 13% of men. Similarly, while 18% of men describe themselves as confident about their savings, just 10% of women say the same. 

Alistair McQueen commented: “Although almost half the population have admitted that they don’t think they are saving enough, the fact they are aware is clearly a positive. This needs to be acted upon, but it can be difficult when people are already under financial pressure.

“It’s clear there are some fears and insecurities around savings and having two in five people either worried or stressed about their finances is a concerning statistic.

“Retirement is very much in the control of the individual. The money saved now will be in their hands in the future, so now is the time to start making active choices which will help to achieve those retirement dreams.” 

Download the full 'Savers vs Spenders' report.

-ENDS-

¹_{2,010 employed adults aged 22-65 were surveyed by Censuswide on behalf of Aviva in Q1 2018.}

²_{DWP, Workplace pension participation and saving trends: 2007 to 2017: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/workplace-pension-participation-and-saving-trends-2007-to-2017}

³_{DWP, Workplace pension participation and saving trends, 2007 to 2017, table 2.1:
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/712819/workplace-pension-participation-and-saving-trends-2007-2017.xls}

_{This report contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.}

Media enquiries

Ben Moss,
0117 928 5843
ben.moss@aviva.com

Instinctif Partners
020 7457 2020
aviva@instinctif.com