Persistently high energy bills and food costs have left Wendy Rogers worried that her pension savings alone will not be enough
At 62, Wendy Rogers imagined she would be easing towards retirement, beginning to slow down and prepare for life without work.
Instead, uncertainty around pensions, rising living costs, and a fragile economy mean she is far from confident she will be able to stop working when she reaches 66.
Her experience reflects a broader national mood as research from Standard Life shows nearly one in five UK adults are considering delaying retirement.
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The vast majority, 83 per cent, feel the world has become less predictable, while 59 per cent say ongoing change in the UK has left them feeling less certain about their future finances.
As a result, many people, including Wendy, expect to keep working for longer than they once planned.
The mother of two from North Lincolnshire works part-time as a sales leader with makeup and beauty brand Oriflame and earns around £1,000 a month.
Speaking to The i Paper, she said: “I had always assumed I would retire at a fairly traditional age, but as I got closer to that point, I started to feel uneasy about stepping away completely.
“I’m a very sociable person, and I’ve always enjoyed being busy, so the idea of suddenly slowing down didn’t quite sit right with me. At the same time, there was a financial worry at the back of my mind.”
Her income pays for “extras” such as family outings, trips and socialising, while the rest comes from savings built up over the years.
Although she and her husband have always tried to save, persistently high energy bills and food costs have left her worried that savings alone will not be enough.
She added: “For me, the biggest impact has been on confidence. I didn’t want to retire and then constantly worry about whether we could maintain our lifestyle.
“My income comes from a combination of what we’ve built over the years and my ongoing work.
“Having that additional income stream gives me confidence and peace of mind in day-to-day life.”
Like many people across the country, she feels a growing “pressure” to keep working. For some, she believes, it is not about wanting to continue but feeling they cannot afford not to.
“I never set a strict retirement date, but I probably assumed I would slow down around this age.
“As I got closer, I realised I didn’t feel financially confident enough to stop completely.
“Delaying retirement felt like the sensible decision. For me, retirement doesn’t have to be a sudden stop; it can be gradual, especially when financial security is a concern.”
Her two young grandsons are a powerful motivation for maintaining stability, so she can “enjoy life with them without constant money worries”.
For now, her flexible work allows her to prioritise family time, and she has no plans for a dramatic change.
She explained: “I’d rather gradually scale things up or down depending on how life feels. That balance gives me security without pressure.”
Mike Ambery, retirement savings director at Standard Life, said it is “completely natural” for people to question their financial plans when the world feels “harder to read”.
“Our findings reflect that sense of unease, but it also shows something positive.
“Many people are using this moment to pause, reassess and take steps that give them a greater sense of control.
“Whether that’s building up savings, revisiting their retirement plans or simply checking in on where they stand, these small actions can make a meaningful difference over the long term.”
Uncertainty does not have to mean standing still, he added. If anything, it highlights the importance of understanding your options and making decisions that fit your circumstances.
Taking time to seek advice or guidance, review your pension and think about what you want your future to look like can help people feel more confident, better prepared and equipped for whatever comes next.
How to feel more confident about future finances
According to Ambery, these are the best ways to reduce your money worries:
Check pension plans to help bring clarity about the future
Keep a long-term perspective and review progress against goals
It is important to understand retirement options before acting, as there are different ways to take income from a pension
Balance savings and investments, with cash savings for short-term needs and investments offering more potential for growth over time
Seeking guidance or regulated financial advice can help you make informed decisions