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 +30 in July 2024.
Positive pension sentiment grew even further among over 55s, in the four months from March 2024 to July 2024
The State Pension remains a key factor behind whether people, of all ages, feel good or bad about their future.
48%
Feel positive about their pension
52%
Feel the same about their pension outlook as last year
Top reason for positive sentiment: “My personal contributions are relatively good” (49%)
44%
Plan to increase contributions as top pension priority
Top reason for negative sentiment: "I think my pension pot is small" (30%)
46%
Feel positive about their pension
51%
Feel the same about their pension outlook as last year
Top reason for positive sentiment: “My personal contributions are relatively good" (52%)
40%
Plan to increase contributions as top pension priority
Top reason for negative sentiment: “I think my pension pot is small” (33%)
46%
Feel positive about their pension
50%
Feel the same about their pension outlook as last year
Top reason for positive sentiment: "My employer contributions are relatively good" (47%)
36%
Plan to increase contributions as top pension priority
Top reason for negative sentiment: "I think my pension pot is small" (38%)
41%
Feel positive about their pension
51%
Feel the same about their pension outlook as last year
Top reason for positive sentiment: “My employer contributions are relatively good" (42%)
32%
Plan to increase contributions as top pension priority
Top reason for negative sentiment: "I can't afford to contribute enough" (35%)
54%
Feel positive about their pension
57%
Feel the same about their pension outlook as last year
Top reason for positive sentiment: "I'm entitled to the full State Pension" (59%)
29%
Plan to take no action with their pension
Top reason for negative sentiment: "I wish I had saved more for retirement" (30%)
75%
Feel positive about their pension
66%
Feel the same about pension outlook as last year
Top reason for positive sentiment: "I'm entitled to the full State Pension" (67%)
45%
Plan to take no action with their pension
Top reason for negative sentiment: “I wish I had saved more for retirement" (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.