A recent survey by PensionBee, conducted in August 2026, reveals that more than half of UK adults, 56%, express feelings of hope or excitement regarding their retirement. However, this emotional optimism is not widely matched by financial certainty.
The research, which surveyed 1,000 UK adults, found that just 16% have both determined their required retirement funds and feel confident in achieving their goals. Furthermore, over a third, 38%, reported having no idea how much their desired retirement lifestyle would cost.
Lily Megson-Harvey, policy director at My Pension Expert, stated that 15 years is still enough time to make a significant difference in retirement planning. She advised against avoiding the issue due to concerns about falling behind.
Andrew King, a pensions specialist at Evelyn Partners, highlighted that salary sacrifice arrangements are beneficial for pension savings, offering savings on National Insurance and potential employer top-ups. He noted that salary sacrifice is expected to be capped at £2,000 per year from April 2029, suggesting that those with access to such schemes might consider increasing contributions in the coming years.
Lisa Caplan, director of Charles Stanley direct advice and guidance, commented on investment strategies for those 15 years from retirement. She cautioned against becoming too cautious too early, stating that 15 years is a sufficient period for a notable allocation to shares and other growth assets, as growth remains important to counteract inflation.