How much do I need to save for retirement?

In this second instalment of Brian’s no-nonsense top-tip videos, he’s breaking down how we can figure out how much we need to save for retirement.

 

The save half your age rule

When setting a savings goal for retirement, the ‘save half your age’ rule of thumb is a good place to start.* By this rule, you take the age at which you start saving for retirement and divide it by two. Then you’ll aim to save that percentage of your gross salary (before taxes and deductions) each year. So if you start saving at 30, you should aim to save 15% of your salary per year.

We know this isn’t always achievable though – life isn’t always straightforward! But any savings you can make – no matter how small – will benefit from compounding over time.

Ultimately, what you should aim to save depends on your personal circumstances, and how you see your future self living at retirement age. Ask yourself these three questions:

  • What can I realistically afford to save?
  • What kind of lifestyle do I want to have?
  • Do I want to continue working in some capacity or stop completely?

 

It’s important to know

As with all investing, the value of your pension can go up and down, and you may get back less than you invest. Tax treatment on your pension contributions depends on individual circumstances and is subject to change. Payments you make into your pension won’t be accessible until the minimum pension age (currently 55 increasing to 57 in 2028).

We do not currently offer drawdown, where you are able to take a tax-free lump sum and income directly from your pension. However, we can facilitate a lump sum payment from your pension, or a tax-free lump sum ahead of an annuity purchase with another provider.

When deciding whether to transfer your pension, it’s important to compare the charges, investment options & benefits between Moneybox and your old provider. Moneybox cannot accept a transfer from a pension your employer is currently paying into.

If you’re not sure whether the Moneybox Pension is right for you, you may want to contact a suitably qualified financial adviser for help.