Yet while workers clearly value long-term financial security, the findings also reveal widespread pension disengagement – with 22% of pension savers having no idea how much they’ll need to retire.
Around half (46%) don’t know how much is in their pension, with over one in seven (16%) having never checked it. One in 10 (10%) say they have more important things to think about than their pension.
In addition, over half (56%) of people currently paying into their pension don’t know how much they or their employer contributes to their pension pot, and a fifth (18%) aren’t aware who their pension provider is.
This apathy emerges as the UK marks 13 years since the launch of auto-enrolment – the government scheme introduced in October 2012 requiring employers to automatically enrol eligible employees into a workplace pension scheme and contribute to it, enabling workers to save for retirement beyond their state pension.
While the system has massively increased participation in workplace pensions, its passive nature means many still fail to engage meaningfully with their savings for later life and don’t check to see how much more they should be saving.
Commenting on the campaign, Emily Mae Collins, Policy Adviser at the ABI said: “Auto-enrolment has made it easier than ever for people to start saving for retirement. Yet when saving happens in the background, it can be all too easy to forget about it entirely. Without awareness or regular engagement, many employees could find themselves falling short of the retirement they’re hoping for. That’s why we’re encouraging employers to play a more active role in helping their colleagues understand, value and build their pensions with confidence. By opening-up the conversation about retirement savings, you can give your team the confidence to take control of their future. Share resources, start the chat, and help make pensions something we can all feel confident about.”
Five top tips from Emily Mae Collins on how employers can help their employees pay their pension some attention:
1. Start the conversation
Make pensions part of everyday money conversations. A simple reminder that “your pension is your future income” helps normalise it. Regular check-ins show staff it is not a taboo. subject.
2. Share simple, trusted resources
Provide clear, jargon-free information from reliable sources such as Pension Attention so colleagues feel confident about where to start. People are more likely to act when the guidance feels easy to understand.
3. Highlight the value of contributions
Show how employer and employee contributions add up over time, using real examples where possible. Helping people picture their future savings makes the benefit feel real rather than abstract.
4. Use key life moments
Prompt action around natural milestones like pay rises, maternity or paternity leave, and new job roles. Linking pensions to these moments makes the discussion feel timely and relevant.
5. Lead by example
Encourage line managers to talk openly about their own pension choices and benefits, making engagement part of workplace culture. When leaders share their approach, it reassures others that it is worth paying attention to.
The Pension Attention campaign is coordinated by the ABI and Pensions UK and funded by some of the best-known brands in the pensions industry. The campaign is calling on employers to help their employees strengthen their pension.
For a resource toolkit to share with employees and further information, please click here.
