What Gen Z thinks about pensions

An insight into a 16-year old’s thoughts on pensions

clock • 1 min read
Gen Z lost in the world of pensions
Image:

Gen Z lost in the world of pensions

Professional Pensions quizzes intern Harrison Barrett about his knowledge of and experience with pensions.

 

  •  When you hear the word ‘pension' what are the first things/words that come into your mind?

Retirement. Tax relief. Savings.

  • Does Gen Z spend much time thinking about pensions?

Honestly not – there is a long time to come until retirement. But I feel unprepared and uneducated on taxes (and pensions) for when I will have them.

  • Should they be thinking about pensions? What's an appropriate age to be considering them?

Yes, when you begin to make a sustainable income and do not struggle to pay your taxes and bills. You should at least consider them at 18-20.

  • Is personal finance, long-term savings and retirement something that is taught much at school? What was your experience?

Not at all, personally school often rant about preparing us (students) for the "real world" however often do not teach us the most important parts of it.

  • The pensions industry struggles to engage people with their pension, particularly the young. How do you think we could communicate better to the Gen Z audience?

Promote more on social media platforms familiar to them (Instagram, TikTok etc). We don't tend to use Facebook and X (Twitter). Communicate through a simplistic approach (not too many words, big buttons, colours etc), they/we tend to click on media that is easy to understand or read.

More on Industry

Gender pension gap widens for those nearing retirement, finds PPI analysis

Gender pension gap widens for those nearing retirement, finds PPI analysis

Women have half the pension wealth of men in the same age bracket pre-retirement

Alex Levy
clock 15 September 2026 • 3 min read
State pension expected to rise by 3.9%, exceeding personal allowance for first time

State pension expected to rise by 3.9%, exceeding personal allowance for first time

Rise means the new full state pension will now exceed the personal allowance

Holly Roach
clock 15 September 2026 • 3 min read
Buzz: Will whole-of-life CDC schemes become a mainstream alternative?

Buzz: Will whole-of-life CDC schemes become a mainstream alternative?

Whole-of-life CDC, early access to pensions and VfM framework

Professional Pensions
clock 15 September 2026 • 1 min read
Trustpilot