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Category: Pensions Date: 5/25/2011
Millions of people are banking on a lottery win to pay for their retirement, a disturbing new survey has revealed.
Around three million workers claim they are relying on their lottery numbers coming up trumps to see them through later life, according to research by YouGov for the National Association of Pension Funds (NAPF).
The survey asked people who have not yet retired to list the different ways they are planning on funding their retirement.
Of the more sensible people who were questioned, nearly half (49%) said they plan to do so through a workplace or private pension.
More than one in five (21%) are planning to save into an ISA, while slightly fewer (17%) intend to invest in property.
Worryingly, however, a third (34%) of people said their retirement plans surround a reliance on the state pension.
Meanwhile, a hopelessly misguided 8% of people claimed to be relying on a lottery win to fund their older age, while a similar number (9%) are banking on an inheritance windfall.
"It's deeply unnerving that millions of people count a flutter on the lottery as part of their retirement plans," said Joanne Segars, chief executive of the NAPF.
"A financially secure old age cannot be left to chance. The only certainty is that many will miss the jackpot and wind up in pensioner poverty."
Pointing out a small, regular payment into a pension can make a big difference, especially with the help of employer contributions and tax breaks, Ms Segars also wants to see a simpler, better state pension, something the Government has recently started to look into.
"Many people take a portfolio approach to saving, so hopefully people aren't relying solely on a lottery win or the death of a relative to get them through retirement," she added.
"But the fact remains that most people are not saving enough, and are in for a deep shock come retirement."
It's never too early to start putting money away for when you finally give up work. Visit our new Retirement Planning pages to find out everything you need to know about pensions and annuities.
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