Standard Life Reveals Brits Think They Cannot Live on £140 a Week
Released on: May 20, 2011, 7:48 am
Author:
Standard Life
Industry:
Financial
Standard Life's new research* has revealed that almost two
out of three people (63%) think they could not live on £140 a week in
retirement, rising to 72% for the 55 and over's. Only 17% of the 55
and over's think they could live on £140 a week. The Government has
recently proposed a single-tier flat-rate state pension worth around £140 a week, and are currently consulting on how this might be
introduced in 2015 at the earliest.
John Lawson, head of pensions policy at Standard Life said: "The introduction of state pensions of £140 a week for all is to be
welcomed. This makes it clear and easy for people to understand what they will
receive from the government as a pension. However, people clearly recognise that£140 a week will not likely be enough to live on in retirement."
The research also found there were significant differences of opinion between age
groups, with the young more likely to think £140 a week was OK, while those in the
older age ranges having had a reality check at the cost of living.
John Lawson concluded with tips for improving overall financial health: "Set up a
savings plan to put money away for your future needs. Pensions and are enough to
meet the savings needs of 99% of the population. If you are saving for a retirement
income, a pension is the most tax efficient home for your money.
"Investing in cash, whilst generally safe, often means that your savings don't
even keep pace with inflation, so don't be afraid to take some risk, particularly
if you are investing for the longer-term. Savings providers now offer personalised
investment portfolios, such as Standard Life's MyFolio, that match the level of
risk you are comfortable with."
The Standard Life MyFolio** funds are a family of funds carefully constructed to
achieve growth whilst minimising risk.
Notes to editors:
*All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was
2,057 adults in the UK. Fieldwork was undertaken between 23rd and 25th March 2011.
The survey was carried out online.
**MyFolio can be accessed via both a Stocks and Shares ISA and the Active Money
Personal Pension. MyFolio is a family of carefully constructed risk-based
portfolios, managed by Standard Life Investments. A committee oversees the fund
research process and includes independent experts from outside the Standard Life
group.
About Standard Life:
Standard Life is a leading long term savings and investments company headquartered
in Edinburgh and operating internationally. Established in 1825, Standard Life
provides ISAs,
life assurance, annuities, investment funds, investment bonds,
tax efficiencies, pensions including self-invested personal pensions (SIPP) company
pensions, stakeholder pensions and employer pensions, and investment management to
over 6.5 million customers worldwide.
PR Contact:
Paul Keeble
Senior Media Affairs Manager
Standard Life plc
Level 34
30 St Mary Axe
London
EC3A 8EP
44 (0)20 7872 4481
www.standardlife.com
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