How has COVID-19 affected retirement plans?

Attitudes and aspirations of this year’s retirees

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has impacted on every aspect of our lives, affecting individuals’ financial situation and for many, their plans for retirement. If you are approaching retirement in the next 12 months, your plans should be under continuous review.

Property wealth boost

Older homeowners receive £1.94 billion

Older homeowners received a £1.94 billion property wealth boost in the first half of 2021, data shows[1]. More than half of the proceeds of equity release (52%) were used to clear mortgages (45%) and manage unsecured debts (7%) while 23% was used to help family and friends – notably for help with house deposits as buyers rushed to beat the end of the Stamp Duty holiday.

Gender pension gap

British women impacted at every stage of career

The staggering impact of the gender pension gap has been revealed in research which shows that women have lower pension pot sizes in every age bracket, with the situation significantly deteriorating as they approach retirement[1].

Financial futures

Gen Xers expected to face significant challenges in retirement

With many ‘Gen Xers’ (those born between 1965 and 1980) having entered the job market too late to benefit from final salary pensions, yet too early to benefit from schemes such as auto-enrolment, this group is expected to face significant challenges in retirement, if policymakers fail to respond urgently.

Intergenerational financial planning

COVID-19 increases desire for sustainable investing for half of UK adults

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has prompted a desire to move into ethical and sustainable investing for more than half (51%) of advised UK adults, according to a new report[1]. And while the trend is common across the generations, it’s Millennials who are leading the charge.