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Despite recognising its importance, a significant gap remains. Only 27% of UK workers currently have an Income Protection policy. This gap shows that while we understand the concept of a safety net, far too few have actually established one. Income Protection is often regarded as a luxury or an afterthought, but the data demonstrates it should be an essential part of modern financial planning.

Complex web of financial reliance

The importance of this type of cover becomes evident when we consider who depends on our income. The data show a complex network of financial reliance. On average, each worker supports three dependents who rely directly on their earnings. This burden often goes beyond children and partners; three in ten workers (29%) also care for a pet that depends on them for food, shelter and wellbeing. Among parents with older children, nearly half support the same number of dependents, indicating that financial responsibility does not necessarily end when children reach adulthood.

This burden is rarely borne alone, but that shared load comes with its own risks. The report emphasises that financial vulnerability is common among couples. Nearly half (45%) of working couples rely on both incomes just to meet monthly living costs. For younger workers aged 18 to 24, this reliance increases to 70%. The real concern is clear: if one partner could no longer work, many households would face immediate and serious financial hardship.

Rising tide of household debt

Exacerbating this vulnerability are rising living costs and increasing debt levels. The report highlights that household debt has been escalating, with the average debt rising by £1,734 from 2023 to 2024 to reach £20,640. As debt grows, savings remain static or decrease. One-third of UK workers have less than £5,000 in savings, nearly a quarter have less than £1,000 and just under one in ten have no savings at all.

For those with a limited financial buffer, an unexpected health problem can be disastrous. This is when Income Protection becomes essential. It offers a regular, tax-free monthly income during periods of illness or injury, providing not just money but genuine financial peace of mind. This safety net helps cover key costs such as rent, mortgage payments, utilities and other living expenses when you are unable to work.

Closing the protection gap

The research also highlights a significant ‘protection gap’ affecting renters, women and single parents. These groups often stand to lose the most from income loss but are usually the least protected. Income Protection isn’t only for the wealthy or the primary breadwinner; it’s for anyone whose life could be affected by a loss of temporary or permanent income.

As the cost of living crisis continues to affect households across the UK, people are becoming increasingly aware of their financial vulnerability. With rising energy bills, rent and mortgage payments, the stakes have never been higher. Having an Income Protection policy offers crucial financial security, turning a potential financial crisis into a manageable situation.

This article is for information purposes only and does not constitute tax, legal or financial advice.

Source data:
[1] LV= Reaching Resilience report: the data used come from a survey of 2,720 nationally representative UK workers, conducted for LV= by Opinium between 15–25 October 2024.

With just a few hours of focused effort, you can develop greater control and positivity around your finances. No matter your starting point, there are always steps you can take to make meaningful improvements. An annual financial review, especially after the festive excesses of December, is highly recommended. It’s also wise to reassess your finances whenever your personal circumstances change significantly.

Taking control of your debts

If you are struggling with debt, this must be the first and most crucial area to address. Debt is a common part of most people’s financial lives at some point, and it’s essential to distinguish between manageable ‘good’ debt and problematic ‘bad’ debt. However, if your borrowing becomes unmanageable, you need to seek help promptly to regain control of your finances. Debt problems tend to worsen if left unaddressed.

Consider whether you can consolidate or rearrange your debts with a reputable lender, such as through a workplace scheme, your bank or a building society. Contact your lenders to arrange an affordable, sustainable repayment plan. For help, think about contacting reputable debt charities such as Citizens Advice, National Debtline or StepChange.

Evaluating your spending habits

A comprehensive review of your expenses is the next step. Examine your bank and credit card statements from the past three months. Are you happy with how your money is being spent, or are there costs that could be stopped, rearranged, reduced or paused? Even minor adjustments across a few items can make a noticeable overall difference.

Reducing regular expenses can provide greater budget flexibility, freeing up cash to pay off debt more quickly or boost your savings contributions. The largest expense for most households is rent or a mortgage payment. It is advisable to ensure this expense aligns with your lifestyle and finances. Whether you are saving for a first home or planning to remortgage, understanding your options is crucial.

Building your savings and investments

Savings form the foundation for achieving the lifestyle you desire and reaching your primary life goals. There are key areas to consider when reviewing your savings plan. The first is your emergency fund, an easily accessible savings pot designed to cover unexpected financial shocks. It should cover three to six months of your essential monthly expenses. If you need to use it, make a plan to restore it as soon as possible.

The amount you save depends on your budget, affordability and specific financial goals. Regularly review your budget to identify opportunities to increase your contributions. Remember that in addition to regular saving, one-off windfalls such as gifts, bonuses or pay rises can substantially boost your savings plans. Your financial plan should outline your goals and the timeframes you aim for.

Aligning products with your financial plan

Choosing the right products is essential. For savings goals within five years, cash-based options like high-interest savings accounts, Premium Bonds and Cash ISAs are usually suitable. For targets beyond five years, if appropriate, consider risk-based investments such as a Stocks & Shares ISA. Ensure you are aware of what your workplace offers, as many employers provide pensions, share schemes or corporate ISAs.

Regularly review your investments to ensure they remain aligned with your financial plan and risk tolerance. It is also important to check that their costs and performance meet your expectations. Remember, the value of investments can both decrease and increase, and you may receive less than you initially invested.

This article is for information purposes only and does not constitute tax, legal or financial advice. Tax treatment depends on individual circumstances and may change in the future. A pension is a long-term investment not normally accessible until age 55 (57 from April 2028 unless the plan has a protected pension age). The value of your investments (and any income from them) can go down as well as up, which would have an impact on the level of pension benefits available. Investments can fall as well as rise in value, and you may get back less than you invest.

This desire for effective intergenerational wealth transfer occurs amid significant changes in the UK tax landscape. Recent Budget adjustments, such as making certain pensions liable for IHT and capping some types of tax relief, have prompted individuals to review their estate planning. With tax thresholds currently frozen and potential future changes, more people are understandably concerned about their financial future and are seeking professional advice to safeguard their legacy.

Modern approach to estate planning

When planning how to organise your estate, various tools are available. One often overlooked but effective option is onshore investment bonds. These financial products provide a simple way to grow your savings within a tax-efficient wrapper. When incorporated into a broader financial plan, these bonds can play a crucial role in reducing potential IHT liabilities and enabling a smoother, more organised transfer of wealth to your loved ones.

A key advantage of onshore bonds is their flexibility. They can be transferred to family members, such as children or grandchildren, through a Bare Trust without incurring an immediate tax charge. Once transferred, the new owner is considered to have owned the bond from the beginning. This allows them to utilise valuable features like full top-slicing relief and any unused 5% tax-deferred allowances on future withdrawals, which can lead to significant tax savings.

A practical way to manage trust assets

Onshore bonds are also highly effective as trustee investments. For a trust, the bond is a non-income-producing asset, which simplifies administration and lowers the trust’s ongoing tax exposure. Trustees can still access funds when necessary by using the 5% tax-deferred withdrawal allowance. This structure offers a practical way to manage trust assets while waiting for beneficiaries to reach maturity.

Later, the trustees can assign all or part of the bond to a beneficiary. This is especially useful if the bond is organised as a series of individual policies or ‘clusters’, allowing for partial assignments. Such a transfer is generally tax-efficient, often resulting in lower tax for the beneficiary compared to a direct cash distribution from the trust. Despite these clear benefits, a surprising 67% of people report knowing very little about how bonds can be used for inheritance planning.

Bridging the knowledge gap

This lack of awareness highlights the importance of exploring all available financial planning options. As more people focus on securing their family’s financial future, understanding the tools that can help you achieve your goals becomes essential. Onshore bonds offer a compelling combination of tax efficiency, investment growth potential and flexibility. They can be a valuable element of your strategy as you prepare for later life and aim to leave a lasting financial legacy.

As rules on inheritance and taxation evolve, staying informed is crucial. Knowing how various financial products operate can greatly influence the amount of your hard-earned wealth that is transferred to your family.

Source data:

[1] Data used from a survey of 4,000 nationally representative UK adults conducted for LV= by Opinium in March 2025.

Talking to us about your needs

Can help you avoid unexpected tax burdens and understand the complexities of estate planning. So, let’s think about what you should know if you are considering gifting part of your wealth early.

Understanding the basics of Inheritance Tax

Inheritance Tax, in its simplest form, is the tax imposed on the estate of someone who has died. The value of an estate comprises all assets, including savings, investments, property and personal possessions. For many, IHT isn’t a concern, as the current allowance for any individual in the UK is £325,000. This amount is known as the nil rate band (NRB).

If the total value of your estate is below this threshold, no tax is payable. However, if your estate exceeds the NRB, the executor of your Will or the administrator of your estate must pay 40% to HMRC on the amount above the threshold. This 40% is the standard IHT rate applied to the part of the estate that surpasses the £325,000 NRB, which remains frozen until at least 2031.

Additional reliefs and allowances

Some relief might be available if you decide to pass your main residence to any direct descendant. The Residence Nil Rate Band (RNRB) can add an extra £175,000 to the usual IHT allowance. As a result, your personal allowance could rise to £500,000. For married couples or civil partners, these allowances can be transferred to the surviving partner, possibly letting up to £1,000,000 be passed on before incurring IHT.

One of the easiest ways to reduce the value of your estate before you pass away is to give money to your chosen beneficiaries early. By gifting parts of your inheritance, your total assets may drop below the taxable threshold. A good starting point is to calculate your estate’s total value to gain a clear understanding of its value. If it exceeds the IHT allowance, we can advise you on IHT mitigation planning, which may involve gifting.

Gifting rules and the seven-year clock

When giving money as a gift early, it is important to understand the rules. The current limit for a small cash gift to a single person is £250 a year, which can be given to as many people as you like, as long as they haven’t received another gift from you. For any amount above £250, you can utilise your annual exemption of £3,000, which can be gifted to one or more people within a tax year without IHT implications. If you do not use this exemption, you can carry it forward for one tax year, allowing a gift of up to £6,000.

If you decide to gift an amount above the annual exemption, you should become familiar with the ‘seven-year rule’. These gifts are known as Potentially Exempt Transfers (PETs) if they are made to an individual or a Bare Trust. A PET can be of any value and is exempt from IHT if you survive more than seven years after making the gift. If you pass away within this seven-year period, the gift may become a taxable asset. The tax rate on the gift is on a sliding scale for amounts over the NRB.

Other tax-free gifting opportunities

Along with the annual allowance, there are additional exemptions that let you gift part of your inheritance early. Assets left to a spouse or civil partner are exempt from IHT, as are unlimited gifts between you, as long as both of you live permanently in the UK. You can also make tax-free wedding gifts of up to £5,000 to a child, £2,500 to a grandchild or £1,000 to anyone else.

Furthermore, regular gifts from your surplus income that do not affect your standard of living can also be exempt. These could go towards a relative’s living expenses or into their savings account. Detailed records must be kept of these payments to show that they are part of a consistent pattern and originate from surplus income. By planning ahead, you may be able to reduce future tax liabilities for your beneficiaries.

This article does not constitute tax, legal or financial advice and should not be relied upon as such. Tax treatment depends on the individual circumstances of each client and may be subject to change in the future. For guidance, seek professional advice. The value of your investments can go down as well as up, and you may get back less than you invested. The Financial Conduct Authority does not regulate estate planning, tax advice or trusts.

Many business owners see their company as their pension plan. It’s a common belief that once they retire, the business will be sold and the proceeds will adequately fund their later years. However, this can be a risky approach. What if the sale takes longer than expected, or if the final valuation is lower than what you need to enjoy the lifestyle you desire?

Securing your retirement

Making regular contributions to a personal pension helps establish a more secure financial future, separate from your business’s performance. It also offers a highly tax-efficient way to save. As a company owner, you can make personal contributions that qualify for tax relief. Additionally, your company can make employer contributions, which are typically deductible against Corporation Tax, thereby reducing your business’s tax liability.

Securing professional financial planning advice is vital to navigate the complexities of personal and business tax reliefs available to you. We can also provide guidance on the most suitable business structure to optimise your tax position, ensuring you maximise every opportunity to save effectively for retirement.

Protecting your most valuable assets

You’re probably familiar with insuring your business premises, equipment and stock. But have you considered protecting your most valuable asset: your people? As the owner, you are essential to the business’s operations. If you were to pass away or become seriously ill and unable to work, the business could face significant challenges and struggle to continue trading.

Protection against death and critical illness is therefore essential for entrepreneurs. It is also wise to consider covering other key individuals within your organisation. Solutions such as key person protection and shareholder protection can provide the necessary capital to keep the business running if the worst happens to a vital staff member or a fellow shareholder.

Advice on cross-option agreements can also be beneficial, as they enable surviving shareholders to choose to purchase the shares of a deceased or critically ill shareholder, helping to maintain stability and minimise disruption.

Planning your exit from day one

Although exiting your business might seem like a distant goal, early planning can provide significant advantages later on. If your long-term aim is to sell, it is wise to identify your ‘magic number’. This is the amount you would need from a sale to maintain your preferred lifestyle. We can assist you in calculating this figure, considering your other assets such as pensions, savings and investments to determine whether a potential sale would be sufficient.

If you plan to pass the business to your family, you might be eligible for Business Relief (BR), which can significantly reduce Inheritance Tax (IHT). Currently, BR can mean no IHT is payable on the value of company shares upon your death. It is essential to stay informed about changes. From April 2026, the full IHT relief will apply only to the first £1 million of qualifying assets per individual, with a 50% relief rate (equivalent to a 20% tax rate) applying thereafter. Also, ensure your Will is up to date so your shares and business interests are transferred according to your wishes.

Diversifying beyond your business

Your primary focus might be on reinvesting in your business to drive its success, but it is important to consider your overall investment strategy. In addition to putting money back into your company, consider investing across various asset classes, such as equities, bonds and property. Diversifying your investments can help protect your long-term finances if the business does not perform as well as you had hoped.

Depending on your company’s cash flow, investing some of its surplus profits can offer that capital opportunities for long-term growth beyond the business itself. The allocation of funds across different assets will depend on factors such as your investment timeframe, personal goals and risk appetite. Regular reviews of your financial plan are crucial to ensure it remains aligned with both your personal and business objectives as they evolve.

Just as financial difficulties can cause significant stress, taking proactive steps to improve your financial situation can serve as a powerful catalyst for happiness and life satisfaction. By managing your finances, you often reduce the psychological burden. Addressing monetary issues not only enhances your financial outlook but can also notably contribute to greater wellbeing and peace of mind.

Regaining a sense of control

Professional financial advice offers more than just investment management; it helps you regain control of your life. Financial wellbeing fundamentally depends on feeling in charge. It involves having a clear understanding of your income and expenditures, supported by robust budgeting and savings plans.

We can act as impartial observers, helping you analyse your monthly expenditure to identify areas where you can cut waste and increase savings and investments, while also assessing your debt situation and creating a plan to pay it off effectively. This process of taking control of daily finances can turn a vague sense of dread into a clear, practical plan, making you feel more secure about your current situation.

Building resilience for the future

While managing today is important, genuine peace of mind comes from being ready for tomorrow. You may be saving diligently, but would your finances endure a real crisis? If you haven’t yet set up a ‘rainy day’ fund, this should become a priority.

Keeping about six months’ worth of essential expenses in an accessible savings account can act as a buffer between a minor setback and a serious crisis if you encounter unforeseen home repairs or a period of unemployment. Along with savings, we also consider protection elements. Life insurance, critical illness cover and income protection provide vital support for your loved ones if the worst occurs. We can assist you in finding the most suitable solutions for your specific needs.

Staying on track for your goals

You are more likely to feel a strong sense of wellbeing if you feel confident that you are on the right track to achieving your life goals. Whether your aims involve paying university fees, securing a comfortable retirement or leaving a legacy, understanding your position is crucial.

We can evaluate whether you’re on track and, importantly, determine the steps to take if you’re falling behind, helping you navigate the tax landscape effectively. For example, maximising your Individual Savings Account (ISA) allowance of £20,000 in the current 2025/26 tax year, or optimising pension contributions (the current annual allowance is £60,000 for most earners), ensures that more of your money works harder for your future, rather than being diminished by inefficiency.

Freedom to enjoy life today

Ultimately, financial planning is about giving yourself the freedom to enjoy life to the fullest. By outlining your vision, we can estimate how long your money could last in various scenarios. This is essential for understanding the real-world impacts of the choices you make today.

Whether you aspire to reduce your hours to spend more time with family, retire early or sell a business, clarity builds confidence. Knowing the outcomes of your choices removes the fear of the unknown. Money concerns can be a heavy load to carry alone. Together, we can develop a financial plan that shows where you are, where you want to go and how to get there.

This article is for information purposes only and does not constitute tax, legal or financial advice. Tax treatment depends on individual circumstances and may change in the future. The value of your investments (and any income from them) can go down as well as up, and you may get back less than you invest. The Financial Conduct Authority does not regulate estate planning, tax advice or trusts.

For the 2025/26 tax year, every eligible UK resident has an annual ISA allowance of £20,000. You can choose to save or invest the full amount in a single ISA or spread it across multiple ISAs, based on your financial goals. The flexibility of the ISA system means there is probably an option suited to your needs, whether you’re saving for a short-term aim or investing for your long-term future.

Understanding your options

There are different types of ISAs available. The most common is the Cash ISA, which functions similarly to a regular savings account but provides the key advantage of tax-free interest. For those willing to accept a higher level of risk in exchange for the potential for better returns, a Stocks & Shares ISA allows investment in a wide range of assets, including funds, bonds and individual company shares, without incurring Capital Gains Tax or Dividend Tax.

The Lifetime ISA (LISA) has also been in the spotlight following the Autumn Budget 2025. While the current LISA still allows you to save for your first home or retirement and offers a government bonus, the government has announced a consultation to replace it with a new, simpler product aimed solely at first-time buyers.

Other specialised ISAs include the Innovative Finance ISA (IFISA), which involves peer-to-peer lending. Each type has its own rules and benefits, so it is important to understand which one suits your personal circumstances and savings goals.

Changes to Cash ISAs

The Autumn Budget 2025 has announced significant changes to Cash ISAs. From April 2027, the annual limit for new contributions to Cash ISAs will decrease to £12,000 for those under 65. If you are 65 or over, you can still contribute up to the current limit of £20,000 to your Cash ISA each tax year. Despite this change, the overall annual ISA allowance stays at £20,000, allowing you to allocate your remaining allowance to other types of ISAs, such as Stocks & Shares ISAs or Innovative Finance ISAs.

However, the new regulations will prevent transfers from Stocks & Shares ISAs or Innovative Finance ISAs into Cash ISAs. Additionally, interest earned on cash within Stocks & Shares ISAs or Innovative Finance ISAs will now be taxed, discouraging the accumulation of large cash balances in investment-focused accounts. These changes aim to encourage younger savers to explore investment options for long-term growth, while safeguarding older savers who might prefer the security of cash savings.

Don’t miss the deadline

The ISA allowance is available on a ‘use it or lose it’ basis each tax year. Your allowance for the 2025/26 tax year cannot be carried forward, so it is crucial to make your contributions before the 5 April 2026 deadline. Failing to utilise your allowance means missing out on a valuable opportunity to grow your savings tax-efficiently.

Whether you’re an experienced investor or just starting your savings journey, making full use of your annual ISA allowance is a wise financial decision. Take control of your financial future by exploring the advantages of ISAs. Whether you’re aiming to grow your wealth tax-efficiently or secure a reliable income stream, ISAs provide a flexible and effective way to reach your goals.

The findings are eye-opening: one in four UK adults (26%) admit they do not know who their current pension provider is[1]. This lack of engagement is made worse by the fact that two-thirds (66%) have never attempted to locate a lost pension, even though the average lost pension pot is worth around £9,470[2]. This reveals a widespread misunderstanding of how pensions work when people change jobs, with a quarter (24%) unaware that switching employers can result in multiple, separate pension pots.

Growing problem of scattered savings

Fewer than one in three people (30%) have carefully kept records of all their pension funds from previous jobs. Although merging these scattered savings into a single plan is often recommended as a practical solution, most have not taken this step. A significant 60% of adults have never combined their workplace pensions, a trend surprisingly common among older, more experienced generations.

This reluctance is clear across all age groups. Nearly three-quarters of the Silent Generation (73%) and two-thirds of both Baby Boomers (65%) and Gen X (66%) have never combined their pensions. Younger workers show a similar pattern, with over half of Millennials (50%) and Gen Z (55%) still to consolidate. Despite the potential advantages of these unclaimed savings, many who haven’t combined their pensions have no plans to do so, often because they don’t know where to start (31%) or feel it would be too much trouble (10%).

Simple steps to locate your lost funds

Even if a pension pot seems small, it can grow substantially over time, making the effort to find it worthwhile. Tracking down your savings might seem intimidating, but there are simple ways to help you re-establish control. A good starting point is to look for any old paperwork, as pension providers are required to send you an annual statement with important details about your plan.

If you cannot locate any documents, you can contact your previous employers directly. They will have records of the pension scheme they offered and can give you the administrator’s contact details. For those still having difficulty, the government’s free Pension Tracing Service is an invaluable resource. With your National Insurance number and employment dates at hand, you can use the service to find up-to-date contact details for past employers and providers.

How to keep your pensions in order

Once you have found all your savings, it is important to keep them secure and prevent them from being misplaced again. Ensure your personal details, such as your address and personal email, are up to date with all your pension providers. This allows them to contact you with important information, even long after you have left a job. Keeping a clear record of each plan will give you a complete overview of your retirement savings.

This comprehensive overview helps you make informed decisions, such as whether consolidation is right for you. Combining your pots can simplify your finances and, in some cases, reduce fees. However, it is crucial to check carefully beforehand, as some older pension schemes may include valuable guarantees or benefits that could be lost if you transfer them. Taking the time to understand what you have is the first step towards a more secure financial future.

This article is for information purposes only and does not constitute tax, legal or financial advice. tax treatment depends on individual circumstances and may change in the future. A pension is a long-term investment not normally accessible until age 55 (57 from April 2028 unless the plan has a protected pension age). The value of your investments (and any income from them) can go down as well as up, which would have an impact on the level of pension benefits available. Investments can fall as well as rise in value, and you may get back less than you invest.

Source data:

[1] Research conducted amongst 2,000 UK adults on behalf of Standard Life by Opinium from 12–15 August 2025.
[2] The average size of a lost pension pot, according to the Pensions Policy Institute.

Understanding these developments is essential for planning your financial future. Although the above-inflation increase in the State Pension provides some immediate relief, the new restrictions on salary sacrifice may impact those contributing to certain workplace schemes. Here, we look at what’s changing, what remains the same, and why these announcements should not deter you from prioritising your retirement savings.

Good news on tax-free cash and relief

After months of speculation that the Chancellor might target pension tax benefits, both tax-free cash allowances and pension tax relief remained untouched. This provides significant relief for savers. Currently, you can typically take up to 25% of your pension pot as a tax-free lump sum once you reach the age of 55 (which will increase to 57 in 2028), subject to a maximum of £268,275, subject to protections.

Additionally, there were no modifications to the valuable Income Tax relief available on pension contributions. This relief remains applied at an individual’s marginal rate of Income Tax, meaning higher rate taxpayers receive more tax back on their contributions. These consistencies provide a stable foundation for long-term retirement planning, allowing you to continue building your pension with confidence in the current tax benefits.

State Pension boosted by triple lock

The Chancellor confirmed that the State Pension will increase by 4.8% in the 2026/27 tax year, thanks to the government’s triple lock guarantee. This policy ensures that the State Pension rises each year based on whichever of the following three measures is highest: average earnings growth, September’s Consumer Prices Index (CPI) inflation rate or a baseline of 2.5%.

The new full State Pension will rise from £230.25 a week to £241.30 in April, adding an extra £575 annually. For those claiming the basic State Pension (who reached State Pension age before April 2016), weekly payments will increase from £176.45 to £184.90. However, the amount you get depends on your personal National Insurance record.

Cap on salary sacrifice contributions

A major change announced in the Budget is the cap on salary sacrifice pension contributions. From April 2029, any contributions made through this method exceeding £2,000 annually will be liable for National Insurance. Salary sacrifice remains a popular feature of many workplace schemes, enabling you to exchange part of your gross salary for an employer pension contribution. This reduces your taxable income and your National Insurance liability.

Under current auto-enrolment minimums, individuals earning less than £40,000 annually are unlikely to be affected by this cap. For higher earners, the impact will depend on how employers customise their pension schemes. It could lead to many individuals seeing their monthly National Insurance contributions rise and their take-home pay fall. Despite this change, the overall tax advantages of pension saving remain substantial and should not be overlooked.

Staying informed is your best strategy

The Autumn Budget has undoubtedly brought a mixture of positive and challenging news for those planning for retirement. While the increase in the State Pension offers a welcome boost, upcoming changes to salary sacrifice make it more important than ever to reassess your existing pension strategy and understand how you could be affected.

Staying informed and maximising available tax benefits will help ensure your retirement savings continue to work as hard as possible for you. Proactive planning is the best defence against policy changes, enabling you to adapt and maintain a strong financial footing for the future.

This article is for information purposes only and does not constitute tax, legal or financial advice. Tax treatment depends on individual circumstances and may change in the future. A pension is a long-term investment not normally accessible until age 55 (57 from April 2028 unless the plan has a protected pension age). The value of your investments (and any income from them) can go down as well as up, which would have an impact on the level of pension benefits available. investments can fall as well as rise in value, and you may get back less than you invest.

However, the data has also identified that managing daily finances remains the top priority for 40% of people, followed by saving for holidays at 31%. In contrast, only 15% state that contributing to their pension is one of their main financial goals. This ‘live for today’ attitude persists despite growing awareness that auto-enrolment alone may not guarantee a comfortable retirement.

Confidence in conflict with reality

While over a third (35%) acknowledge that they might not be saving enough for their later years, almost half (45%) still believe they are on track. This reveals a disconnect between their confidence and the actual situation they face in retirement. A growing sense of uncertainty is also affecting people’s attitudes toward the future.

Almost half of adults (47%) believe that factors beyond their control influence their retirement prospects. A significant 83% perceive the world as less stable than in previous years. More than half (59%) attribute their declining confidence in financial futures to changes in the UK, and 57% to global shifts.

Taking control in uncertain times

Understandably, many people concentrate on covering daily expenses and prioritise a well-earned break. However, even during more difficult times, keeping an eye on the future can make a substantial difference. Regularly setting aside something for later life, no matter how small, can help you stay aligned with your long-term plans without sacrificing what matters today.

Taking manageable, steady actions can create a lasting impact and help you feel more secure. Whether that’s setting a clear budget, building an emergency fund or checking your pension, small steps can improve your overall financial wellbeing and boost your sense of control.

Balancing the present with the future

It’s not about giving up what you enjoy today; it’s about finding a balance that works for both the present and the future. By creating a clear picture of your finances, you can track your income and expenses to understand where your money goes each month. Budgeting apps or a simple spreadsheet can help you categorise spending and identify areas for saving without sacrificing all enjoyment.

Dividing your savings into separate pots for different goals, such as holidays, home improvements and retirement, can make saving feel more manageable. Automating transfers into these pots simplifies the process, while watching each one grow provides a sense of achievement. Even if you cannot increase pension contributions at the moment, maintaining consistency is vital, as regular payments benefit from compound growth over time.

Maximising your long-term potential

If your employer offers pension matching, it is essential to take full advantage of it if affordable, as it effectively provides extra money for your retirement fund. It is also beneficial to be aware of government incentives and tax reliefs that can help your savings go further. A simple review of your finances once or twice a year can keep you aligned with your goals and motivate you as you see how much you have progressed.

Ultimately, financial wellbeing doesn’t mean sacrificing fun. Including enjoyment in your budget allows you to live in the moment without guilt, while also ensuring your future is protected. In fact, the contributions you make today could enable you to enjoy more freedom and choices later, whether that’s taking longer trips, travelling more frequently or simply exploring the world on your own terms.

Source data:

[1] Research conducted by Ipsos on behalf of Standard Life in June 2025. In total, 6,000 participants completed the online survey. Participants were aged 18-80 and included working, unemployed and retired individuals. Quotas and weights were used to ensure respondents were representative of the UK general population by age, gender and region.