One in five people aged between 55 and 64 aren’t saving anything at all each month, potentially leaving themselves financially vulnerable as living costs continue to soar.
Around 19% of those aged between 45 and 54 save nothing each month, new research from friendly society The Exeter reveals, rising to 20% for those aged 55 to 64.
These figures are higher than for any other demographic surveyed, raising concerns about the financial future of those in these age groups, who typically have fewer options to secure a higher income than their younger counterparts.
Overall, 65% of people reported feeling worried that they weren’t saving as much as they would like, suggesting that the problem is not that people don’t know that they should be saving – they simply can’t afford to.
While sobering, this news may not come as a great surprise to many, as the cost of living crisis continues to drive up bills across the board and stretch people’s budgets to the breaking point.
The research reflects this in stark terms, with 81% of those surveyed having reported a change in their spending habits due to the crisis, with high cutbacks on weekly shops, utility usage and leisure activities. More than half (52%) of workers surveyed in the UK expressed concern about paying for food and utility bills, and 44% worried about their ability to pay rent or make their mortgage repayments.
Isobel Langton, chief executive at The Exeter, said: “We wanted this research to examine the many pressures working people in the UK are dealing with, but the level of financial and health fears we have uncovered has revealed the true scope of the challenges they face.”
“With so many people in the UK worried about saving enough and, with living costs continuing to rise, the speed at which someone can fall into debt could also increase.”
How much should I be saving?
There’s no one right answer to how much you should be putting away, but even saving a small amount away each month can make a big difference over the long term.
Many people subscribe to the “50/30/20 rule”, where 50% of your income goes towards necessities, 30% goes towards discretionary items, and 20% goes into savings – but this is obviously easier said than done, and you may not be able to divvy up your earnings so tidily, particularly if necessities take up more than 50% of your income. Our article 5 budgeting methods you might not have heard of explains this rule in more detail and looks at other ways to save.
If you want to save money for an emergency but aren’t sure how much you should be putting away, our article How to build an emergency fund can also help you get started.
If you are interested in opening a savings account but don’t know where to begin, we have a few articles outlining how different types of accounts work and listing some of the best options on the market, updated every week. For example, Best cash ISA rates – which cash ISAs pay the most interest? details the cash ISAs with the highest interest rates currently available. Fixed rate savings bonds explained and Best instant access savings accounts do the same with fixed rate bonds and instant access savings accounts respectively.
The positive news is that even though the Bank of England reduced the base rate in August 2024 to 5%, and then again to 4.75% in November, there are still plenty of current accounts available paying competitive returns.
Mark Hicks, head of active savings at Hargreaves Lansdown said: “This rate cut isn’t going to sink savings rates. It might take a little of the buoyancy out of variable rates, but fixed rates had already taken them on board, so there’s little here to rock the boat.
“The past week has been pretty rough for the bond market, buffeted by the level of borrowing in the Budget and then the result of the US election result, but the savings market has held its course. Moneyfacts figures show the average fixed savings rate was 4.23% on Budget day, and has been 4.23% or 4.22% every day since.
“Fixed rates had largely priced today’s cut in too, so we’re not expecting much to change. It will make an impact on easy access rates, however, so we’ll see some accounts get less generous. Cash ISAs may hold up better than their savings account equivalents, because the banks are still keen to compete – to take advantage of the increased interest in tax-free savings at a time of tax rises. In any case, we’re not expecting huge movements.
“The good news for savers is that over the next couple of months, we could see a bit more support for both fixed and easy access savings, as we potentially see inflationary pressures starting to build again. We’re not expecting rates to climb significantly though, so if you’re hanging on for a better deal before you fix, it’s time to stop waiting and get moving. You can still get strong fixed rates, especially over 6 months to 2 years. So if you’re tired of worrying about what drama politics and the bond markets might hold in store, you can fix any savings you won’t need for that period and get on with the rest of your life.”
I can’t save money - what are my options?
You shouldn’t feel at fault if you are struggling to save money or facing debt, particularly given current difficult financial circumstances. Our article Four ways to save on a tight budget can give you some ideas on how to put a little money away each month.
If there is no way you can trim your outgoings so you can save a bit each month, there are resources and options available that may help you if you suddenly find yourself needing a cash buffer.
Our article How to raise emergency cash contains some ideas for building up quick funds, along with the advantages and disadvantages of each of these options.
For more ideas on how to reduce your outgoings and stay afloat, visit our sections on ways to save money and cost of living resources.
Many people feel embarrassed reaching out for help if they’re struggling with debt or other financial problems, but remember that it is nothing to be ashamed of, and the earlier you seek help, the better. Our articles Are money worries affecting your mental health? and How to take control of your debts have lots of information on where to get help managing your money.
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