We have proposed a set of principles for the Government’s forthcoming review of pensions adequacy, and proposed the issues the review should to address in our report, A roadmap to adequate retirement incomes for all, which was launched at an event with Pensions Minister Emma Reynolds MP.

In partnership with Nest Insight, the report How much is enough? takes a deep look what pensions adequacy looks like over a lifetime and for different types of people, which will provide crucial evidence into the Government’s review as it considers whether and how to expand automatic enrolment.

We’ve also modelled when the crisis of pensions inadequacy will be most acute in our report Tomorrow’s problem?, where we find the problem will peak in 2040-44.

Changing Journeys

Our Changing Journeys report brings together a wealth of national statistics, new survey data and novel analysis to explore the story of how the ways we save, work and retire in Britain are changing. We use data to show how greater individual responsibility is leading to welcome flexibility and opportunity for some, but disappointment, precarity and poverty for others, with 24 per cent of UK adults expecting to never really retire.

We worked with the Fabian Society on a project to set out a strategy for addressing poverty among people aged 60-65 (the adult age group at greatest risk of poverty), proposing policies to support employment and address the gap between the working age and pensioner benefit systems.

We also worked with the Centre for Social Justice on their proposals for a strategy to support working carers, and with the International Longevity Centre UK to explore different countries’ approaches to lifelong learning.

In our work focused on enabling more people to remain in good quality work for longer, we collaborated with Demos to propose how the Government widen access to employment support and careers advice throughout life, and we published a briefing to show how the Government’s 80% employment target could not be met without action to reduce economic inactivity among people over 50. We also worked with Public First to explore what mid- to late-career workers think about transitioning to 'green' jobs.

Our highlights - Public awareness and driving action
Careers can change

Our Careers can change campaign has been working with its network of expert partners to build a movement around the importance of greater job mobility and career progression throughout life, inspiring people to see that careers can change successfully, and connected them to support through a series of webinars, workshops, podcasts and events on topics including the financial issues people may face when considering a career change with Careershifters.

50+ Jobs Fair

In March, we partnered with the Department for Work and Pensions on a 50+ Jobs Fair in central Birmingham, connecting jobseekers with local employers and giving people access to our Careers and Skills Lounge series of workshops on topics like transferable skills and CV writing. And in October we held a live podcast recording with the Postcards from Midlife podcast on ‘Second Act Career Adventures’.

Part-time Works podcast series

Improving opportunities for good quality part-time work is critical if more people are to be able to stay in good work for longer as they age. In partnership with flexible work experts Timewise, our mini podcast series Part-time Works uses discussions of people’s experiences of part-time work to build understanding and celebrate the people and companies who have made part-time working work for them.

Postcards from Midlife: Live recording

We were joined by a live audience of over 250 guests at Leicester Square Theatre on 15th October for a special career change focused episode of the Postcards from Midlife podcast. Co-hosts Lorraine and Trish navigated us through an uplifting and inspiring event which drew from the best of our guest experiences and advice, from everything adventure, reinvention, careers and beyond. 

Speakers included Jessica Hepburn, the best-selling author, adventure activist and career changer. We also had a panel with Sarah Ellis, Co-author of The Squiggly Career and co-founder of Amazing If, along with Karen Blackett, Business leader and former global advertising CEO.

The advice gap

People approaching retirement with Defined Contribution pensions face complex decisions about how to use their pension pots in the most efficient and effective way to meet their needs throughout retirement. Only around one in 10 people at the moment are in a position to access paid independent financial advice. The Government, regulators and industry are exploring new ways to bridge this advice gap and make sure more people get help with their pensions and retirement income decisions. We are setting up a new Consumer Advisory Panel to bring new insight from customers into what specific forms of help they want and need. This work will complete in 2025.