Pension saving remained a top three financial priority for 11 per cent of savers heading into 2025, according to research from Aegon.

The company noted that while this figure may seem low, it remains unchanged from last year, which could suggest that short-term bumps like high inflation have not impacted attitudes to long-term savings.  

In addition to this, the survey found that three-fifths of people in the UK feel positive about their finances for 2025, an increase from 52 per cent at the start of 2024, while just over a third (35 per cent) felt negative about their finances for 2025, a drop from 38 per cent a year ago.

When asked for the top three financial priorities, ‘enjoying life’ (34 per cent) was the most common response for UK adults going into 2025, an increase from 28 per cent who responded with ‘enjoying life’ as a top three financial priority going into last year.

This was especially true for those over 60 (41 per cent), up from 33 per cent compared to the previous year in that older cohort.

However, Aegon director of pensions, Steven Cameron, warned that "beneath the surface of these positive headline findings, lurk challenging and persistent realities".

Indeed, the survey found that women (54 per cent) and those aged 50 to 59 (47 per cent) were less likely to feel positive about their finances, which is consistent with last year’s survey findings and Aegon’s Second 50 research.

“The government’s recent unpopular decision to means-test the winter fuel allowance may also have had a bearing with 50-somethings. There is also perhaps a growing realisation for many that they have not managed to save enough for the retirement they want," Cameron continued.

“Undoubtedly there will be challenges for the year ahead – both in terms of individual and family household budgets, business confidence and wider economic factors that impact us all – and so it will be interesting to track the results both across 2025 and to future years.”

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