Retirement fund is top saving priority for Brits

retirement fund
© Ngampol Thongsai |

Over half (58%) of Brits wish they had invested in their future and retirement fund at an earlier age, according to new research by Nottingham Building Society

The survey of 2,000 UK adults looked at the biggest saving priorities for the nation, and what age we wish we had started investing in different aspects of our lives, from health and careers to money management. A retirement fund was ranked as the biggest saving priority, despite only 29% of respondents admitting to actively saving towards their future.

The top ten most important saving priorities for Brits are:

  1. Retirement fund
  2. ‘Rainy day’ fund
  3. House deposit or increasing equity
  4. Holiday fund
  5. Funds to partake in my hobbies/outside of work activities
  6. Debt repayments
  7. New car
  8. Children’s saving account
  9. Children’s education
  10. Wedding fund

Debt repayments didn’t make the top five saving priorities for the nation, however, of the respondents who are currently saving, paying off or planning to pay off their debt, this saving was ranked second in importance, indicating that those who are currently in debt are prioritising this over saving for other factors such as a house deposit (ranked fourth in importance), or a new car (ranked seventh).

However, when it comes to what Brits are actually saving for, the most common goal was a ‘rainy day’ fund, with over a third (34%) of Brits currently saving towards this. Interestingly, more than double are saving towards a holiday (29%) than a house deposit (13%), despite a house deposit being ranked as a higher priority overall.

When it comes to the ages the nation wish they had started investing in different aspects of our lives, Brits found that they wished they had invested towards their retirement at age 31, when on average they actually began investing at 39 – almost a decade later. On average, UK adults begin saving towards a ‘rainy day’ fund at 34, despite wishing they had started at 28.

The average age we wish we had started investing in aspects of our lives  The age we actually began or plan to start investing in different aspects of our lives
A career 25 years 27 years
Positive friendships 26 years 27 years
Plans to buy your first home 27 years 30 years
Consistent saving habits 27 years 31 years
Starting a ‘rainy day’ fund 28 years 34 years
Health 29 years 38 years
Future family/ children 29 years 30 years
Mental health 30 years 38 years
Putting aside ‘me’ time 30 years 37 years
Retirement 31 years 39 years

 

Jenna McKenzie-Day, Senior Savings Manager at The Nottingham, said: “Our research found that on average, homeowners wish they had begun planning to buy their first home three years earlier than they started, with a similar picture being painted for those saving for their future. Interestingly, it found that Brits wish they had started their retirement fund a staggering eight years before they actually began saving.

“Whether you are saving for your first home or starting your retirement plans, products such as the LISA, which is available for those looking to plan for their future, offer a 25% government-backed bonus on annual savings  up to £4,000, those extra eight years of savings could have increased their future savings by a potential £8,000 – making it the perfect product to start your saving journey.”

 

To find out more about the Nottingham’s LISA, visit: https://www.thenottingham.com/lifetime-isa/

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