Retirement Planning, in a Time of Coronavirus and Beyond
If you are in your 20s or 30s, retirement may seem like a long way off, but the sooner you begin, the better off you will be. In the UK, increasing longevity and strains on the state pension system mean that people are more reliant on organisations than ever to help them with their own future retirement income.
No matter if you’re working, self-employed, or just getting a start on your career, a solid retirement plan can mean the difference between financial freedom and financial stress in your later years.
This guide will walk you through the main process for how to plan retirement in the UK – including pensions, ISAs, investment and even lifestyle choices.
💡 Step 1: Know the Fundamentals of Retirement Income
In the UK, retirement income derives from three primary sources:
- State Pension – Paid by the government, as long as you’ve paid enough National Insurance contributions.
- The total new State Pension is £221.20 a week as of 2025.
- You typically must contribute for 35 years to get the full amount.
- Workplace Pensions – Offered by employers for staff under automatic enrolment.
- Employers are required to put in 3%, and employees are required to contribute at least 5%.
- Private Pensions & Savings – Self Invested Pensions (SIPPs), ISAs and personal savings.
🏦 Step 2: Determine How Much You Will Need
To determine how much you should save, estimate your retirement needs:
- Rent/mortgage/maintenance (if you own it)
- Food and utilities
- Travel and leisure
- Healthcare needs
- Lifestyle extras (holidays, hobbies)
👉 A common rule of thumb: You’ll need 66 percent of your current income to live in retirement.
The Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association (PLSA) recommends:
- Minimum lifestyle: ~£14,400/year
- Moderate lifestyle: ~£31,300/year
- Comfortable lifestyle: ~£43,100/year
📊 Step 3: Make the Most of Your Workplace Pension
What are workplace pensions – and why are they so effective?
- Automatic enrolment means that most employees contribute.
- Employer contributions = free money. Contribute enough to get the full match.
- Some employers offer more generous schemes — and don’t forget about your HR benefits package.
✅ Even tiny increases in contributions (from 5% to 8%, for example) can add up to tens of thousands more in retirement.
🧑💼 Step 4: What the Self-Employed Can Do
Self-employed workers don’t get employer contributions, but there are still great options:
- SIPPs (Self Invested Personal Pensions) – Flexible, with tax relief on your contributions.
- Lifetime ISAs (LISA) – For under-40s, with a 25% government bonus (up to £1,000/year).
- Stocks & Shares ISAs – For further, tax-efficient investments.
📈 Step 5: Utilise ISAs for Flexibility
While pensions are effectively locked up until at least age 55 (moving to 57 in 2028), ISAs are more flexible:
- Stocks & Shares ISA – Tax-free growth on your investments.
- Cash ISA – A safe home for emergency or short-term savings.
Annual ISA allowance (2025/26): £20,000.
🔑 ISAs are the perfect partner to pensions – providing liquidity and accessibility before retirement.
📉 Step 6: Solve Your Debt Problems Before You Retire
Heavy debt is hard to take into retirement.
- Focus on paying off your higher-interest credit cards and loans.
- If you can afford it, think about making overpayments on your mortgage.
- Do not borrow against pension savings (this will diminish long-term growth).
📚 Step 7: Spread Risk and Grow Your Investment
Your retirement strategy should balance risk and reward.
Typical Portfolio Mix by Age:
- 20s–30s: High equity exposure (70–80%) for long-term growth.
- 40s–50s: Balanced mix of stocks and bonds.
- 60s+: More bonds and income-focused investments.
Diversification spreads risk across assets (stocks, bonds, real estate, funds).
⚖️ Step 8: Inheritance and Family Planning
Planning for retirement also means securing your loved ones’ financial future:
- Pension pots are generally free from inheritance tax.
- A will and estate planning are crucial to maintaining distribution of assets.
- There are wealth planning techniques that can help mitigate inheritance tax liabilities.
🛠️ Tools and Resources
| Tool / Platform | Purpose |
|---|---|
| HMRC Pension Calculator | Estimate future pension income |
| MoneyHelper UK | Guidance on retirement planning |
| Vanguard / AJ Bell | Pension & ISA investment platforms |
| PensionBee | Consolidate pensions in one place |
| MoneySavingExpert | Tips for allowances, savings and deals |
⚠️ Mistakes to Avoid
- Starting retirement planning too late
- Ignoring employer contributions
- Living off the state pension alone
- Failing to periodically review your investments and their risks
- Underestimating healthcare and living costs
🏁 Closing Thought: Financial Security
Retirement planning in the UK is all about foresight, discipline and fine-tuning. When state pension, workplace contributions, personal pensions and ISAs work together, they create a strong foundation for your future.
The trick is to begin early, maintain steady discipline and review regularly. Every pound saved today multiplies many times over tomorrow, thanks to the power of compounding.
💬 Retirement isn’t just about leaving work — it’s about living the life you want without worrying about money.