Standard Life Reveals That One In Six Don't Plan Their Future Finances
Released on: May 23, 2011, 7:57 am
Author:
Standard Life
Industry:
Financial
Standard Life has found that people in the UK live for the
moment rather than the long term, with more than one in six (17%)
failing to plan their finances at all, according to recent research
from the savings and investments company.
The research, which looks into the UK's fascination with living for now, finds that
almost half of Brits (45%) only plan their finances just a year ahead, or less, with
only a fifth of them (22%) planning up to five years into the future. Alarmingly,
only one in six people (16%) plan more than six years ahead which underlines the
real necessity for the UK to start addressing their long term savings plan. Doing this is critical if
they are to be financially secure, achieve their future goals and live the lifestyle
they want.
Of the UK regions, it was found that those from London were the top financial
planners, with one in six (17%) planning six years or more ahead. In contrast,
those from Scotland came out as the least likely to make long term financial plans,
with only one in ten (11%) planning more than six years ahead.
To find out more about the nation's attitudes to planning for the future, Standard
Life is launching a UK-wide poll and prize draw and linking up with boutique hotel
specialist i-escape.com. Entrants have to vote on which prize they would prefer; a
short break this year with accommodation from i-escape.com, or a holiday of a
lifetime in five years. The results will show whether people in the UK favour
instant gratification or greater long term rewards. This issue of desiring instant
gratification presents an on-going challenge for the UK because people are living
longer and their financial security cannot be guaranteed. It represents a huge
challenge for providers and advisers who are keen to help consumers plan ahead so
they can look to the future with confidence and optimism.
Bruce Kelsall, group and UK marketing director at Standard Life, said: "The growth
in our ageing population has created a dramatic need to shift from a culture of
spending to one of saving. People are completely comfortable making financial plans
for a summer holiday; planning and investing in your future is no different. You
may have to finance your lifestyle up to the age of 90 or even longer and while
planning for this eventuality is essential, it needn't be stressful. Even the
smallest actions now can have a dramatic effect on your long term finances."
Notes to Editors:
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 life assurance, annuities, savings products such as an ISA,
investment funds, tax efficiencies, pensions including self-invested personal
pensions (SIPP) company pensions and employer pensions, and investment management to
around 6 million customers worldwide.
Standard Life also offers finance tools to
help with things like pension planning.
All figures, are from research carried out for Standard Life by YouGov. Total sample
size was 2057 adults in the UK. Fieldwork was undertaken between 23-25 March 2011.
The survey was carried out online.
Standard Life has linked up with boutique hotel specialist i-escape.com to provide
accommodation for the short break prize. If that's what the prize-winner has voted
for, they will be able to choose from 1300 unique places to stay on the i-escape.com
site.
The poll and prize draw is live and can be entered by visiting
independent.co.uk/standardlife.
Press Contact:
Nicki Lundy
Public Relations Manager
Standard Life plc
Ground Floor
Caledonian Exchange
19a Canning Street
Edinburgh
EH3 8EG
44 (0)131 245 2737
www.standardlife.co.uk
Back to previous page
Home page
Submit your press release