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Only 9% on track for comfortable retirement, study finds


By Goran Nastic

Only 9% of working-age people are on track for a comfortable retirement and just 23% are expected to achieve a moderate standard of living, suggest new figures from Pensions UK.

The latest analysis, calculated by the Centre for Research in Social Policy, Loughborough University, suggested that around 82% of workers will reach the minimum retirement living standard, but far fewer are saving enough to achieve higher levels of financial security in later life


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Three quarters of Brits unaware of IHT tax relief rules – Canada Life

Almost three quarters (72%) of UK adults are not aware that money regularly gifted from spare or excess income is immediately exempt from inheritance tax (IHT), Canada Life has revealed

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FTBs delay purchases by six years to find the right home - MAB

First-time buyers (FTBs) are spending an average of six years saving for their first home as they prioritise properties that better match their long-term lifestyle goals, according to new research from Mortgage Advice Bureau (MAB)

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Firms must do more to protect consumers and prevent sanctions breaches – FCA

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has called on regulated firms to raise consumer protection standards when approving financial promotions, and do more to prevent sanctions breaches

Mortgage borrowing drops in April but approvals show housing market resilience

Mortgage borrowing slowed in April as higher mortgage rates weighed on affordability, but an increase in approvals for house purchases suggests demand in the housing market remains resilient

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One third of investors hit ISA limits as savers rush to maximise tax breaks

A significant proportion of investors maximised their tax-efficient savings allowances during the 2025/26 tax year, with new figures from AJ Bell showing that 28% of its DIY investors paid the full £20,000 into their stocks and shares ISA
New report calls for mandatory regulated mortgage advice for all FTBs

Mandatory regulated mortgage advice for all first-time buyers (FTBs) should be introduced, a new discussion paper published by Paradigm Mortgage Services has outlined

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Adviser opinion split on FCA’s proposed advice changes

Financial advisers are divided on whether the Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) proposed changes to pensions and investment advice rules will help them service new clients, a study from AJ Bell has shown

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Three quarters of Brits unaware of IHT tax relief rules – Canada Life

Almost three quarters (72%) of UK adults are not aware that money regularly gifted from spare or excess income is immediately exempt from inheritance tax (IHT), Canada Life has revealed

Frozen thresholds see 7 million dragged into income tax net

Frozen income tax thresholds introduced in 2021/22 have seen seven million people dragged into the income tax net, according to analysis published by AJ Bell

Income tax and NICs hit ‘eye-watering’ record high in April – HMRC

Income tax and National Insurance contributions (NICs) paid through wages reached a record high of £52.5bn in April, marking a £4.7bn year-on-year increase, HMRC has revealed

IHT receipts fall year-on-year in April

Inheritance tax (IHT) receipts have fallen by £65m year-on-year in April to £700m, HMRC has revealed. The first results of the new financial year follow a record-breaking year, when £8.5bn was collected in the 2025/26 financial year

Firms must do more to protect consumers and prevent sanctions breaches – FCA

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has called on regulated firms to raise consumer protection standards when approving financial promotions, and do more to prevent sanctions breaches

Adviser opinion split on FCA’s proposed advice changes

Financial advisers are divided on whether the Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) proposed changes to pensions and investment advice rules will help them service new clients, a study from AJ Bell has shown

CFIT launches roadmap as part of the Open Property Coalition

The Centre for Finance, Innovation and Technology (CFIT) has launched its Roadmap for Open Property, following the completion of the first phase of Open Property Coalition. Backed by the mortgage industry and funded by the Department for Business and Trade, the coalition is aiming to transform the current "slow and fragmented" homebuying process, signalling the next phase of the UK’s Smart Data initiative

Gatehouse Bank partners with Finvise

Gatehouse Bank has launched a new partnership with AI-powered surveyor expertise platform, Finvise

Savings product choice hits new record

The number of savings products available on the market has risen to 2,540 deals, according to data from Moneyfacts

Bridging lending remains consistent in Q1

Purchasing an investment asset remained the most popular use of bridging finance in Q1, accounting for 22% of all transactions, according to the latest Bridging Trends data. The latest figure was unchanged from Q4 2025, although the impact from the conflict in the Middle East won’t be fully clear until Q2

Quilter Financial Planning adds eight AR firms to adviser network

Quilter Financial Planning has added eight new appointed representative (AR) firms to its advice network

Santander completes £2.65bn TSB acquisition

Santander UK has completed the acquisition of TSB for an all-cash consideration of £2.65bn

Only 9% on track for comfortable retirement, study finds

Only 9% of working-age people are on track for a comfortable retirement and just 23% are expected to achieve a moderate standard of living, suggest new figures from Pensions UK. The latest analysis, calculated by the Centre for Research in Social Policy, Loughborough University, suggested that around 82% of workers will reach the minimum retirement living standard, but far fewer are saving enough to achieve higher levels of financial security in later life

Salary sacrifice reforms could reduce pension saving for nearly 3 million workers - LCP

More than 2.8 million workers are expected to reduce their pension contributions following planned changes to salary sacrifice arrangements from April 2029, new figures by pension consultancy LCP have revealed

Just 1% in pension returns could add £150k to retirement savings - study

Even a modest improvement in pension investment performance could dramatically increase retirement savings, with a 1% rise in annual returns potentially adding more than £150,000 to a worker’s pension pot over the course of their career, suggests new research from Smart Pension.

Abbey Life pension scheme secures £200m buy-in with Standard Life

The Abbey Life Assurance Company Limited Staff Pension Scheme has completed a £200m buy-in with Standard Life, which is also the scheme sponsor, securing the benefits of more than 1,500 members

One third of investors hit ISA limits as savers rush to maximise tax breaks

A significant proportion of investors maximised their tax-efficient savings allowances during the 2025/26 tax year, with new figures from AJ Bell showing that 28% of its DIY investors paid the full £20,000 into their stocks and shares ISA

Most Brits follow online financial advice without checking risks, study finds

The majority of Brits are acting on financial advice from social media, AI tools, and other unregulated sources without properly verifying the information or understanding the risks involved, a new study from Zable has found

UK inflation falls to 2.8%

The UK inflation rate has fallen to 2.8% in the year to April, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has revealed

Over-60s residential property wealth three times more than DC pension market value

Total residential property wealth held by the over-60s is estimated at £2.92trn around three times more than the total market value of all DC pension assets in the UK at £950bn, analysis published by Key Equity Release has revealed

Target Group records 40% efficiency increase following AI agent deployment

Target Group has recorded a 40% increase in efficiency and colleague satisfaction in managing arrears, following the deployment of its AI-powered Collections Guru agent

Financial firms urged to balance AI benefits against growing risks

Financial services firms must confront a series of "uncomfortable tensions" as generative AI becomes increasingly embedded in the sector, according to a new report from the London Foundation for Banking and Finance (LFBF) and the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries (IFoA).

UK financial advisers lack trust in system outputs

Financial advisers in the UK lack faith in their system outputs, with just 7% saying they are very confident that their systems produce consistent outputs, research from Defaqto has revealed

Söderberg, Seccl, and Plannr launch new adviser tech integration

Söderberg & Partners Platform, Seccl, and Plannr Technologies have successfully launched a new integration which will deliver a fully unified, API-first ecosystem for financial advisers and their clients

News in brief - 3 June 2026

Today's round up of developments coming out of the consumer finance space, featuring Keystone Property Finance, LendInvest Mortgages, Chorley Building Society and Buckinghamshire Building Society

News in brief - 2 June 2026

Today's round up of developments coming out of the consumer finance space, featuring Leeds Building Society, Molo, Gatehouse Bank and ModaMortgages

News in brief - 1 June 2026

Today's round up of developments coming out of the consumer finance space, featuring TAB, Newcastle for Intermediaries, Foundation, GB Bank and Buckinghamshire Building Society

News in brief - 29 May 2026

Today's round up of developments coming out of the consumer finance space, featuring Phoebus Software, LMS and Mortimer Street Capital

BLOG: Royal London Equity Release: How high-net-worth individuals could benefit from releasing equity with the exclusive Premier product offering

In February 2026, we were recognised at the MoneyAge Mortgage Awards, taking home the title of ‘Later Life Lender of the Year’, with judges highlighting our rapid distribution growth, extensive adviser engagement and meaningful product enhancements. As an equity release provider, our approach is rooted in a holistic view of retirement, aiming to provide good customer outcomes with backing from the UK’s largest mutual life, pensions and investment company* – but what can we offer you and your clients?

BLOG: Are added-value services the key to engaging clients in protection?

Scottish Widows Protection Director, Rose St Louis, discusses how reframing protection conversations can help to engage clients

BLOG: Award-winning lending, built brick by brick

Saffron for Intermediaries discusses its latest lending offering on the MoneyAge blog

BLOG: Doing Good is Good Business

MoneyAge Awards winner Bespoke Advice discusses the key fundamentals of good financial planning in our latest blog piece

Check out our latest advertorials

Funding home adaptations: The changing needs in later life planning

The Bank of Family

Delivering A Consumer-Focused Later Life Lending Sector for 2026 and Beyond

Later Life Lending: It’s more than just equity release or retirement interest only (RIO)

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