With the cost of everything from food, energy and petrol on the rise, most people are trying to find ways to economise and balance their household budgets. For some, this means reducing energy use, while others may need benefits for the first time. However, reports suggest that an increasing number of people are reducing the amount they pay into their pension – or stopping their contributions completely - to free up cash.
Of course, while this reduces your monthly costs in the short-term, it can impact your quality of life further down the line. So, before you make any decisions, it’s critical to understand what’s happening with the economy and the long-term impact of reducing pension savings, and to think about how your pension fits into your overall finances.
The latest Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures, released in October, reported inflation at 8.8%. This means the price of everyday goods is more than 8% higher than it was a year ago. Wages, on the other hand, have largely stayed the same, meaning pay isn’t keeping up.
Economists agree that there are several factors contributing to this. Brexit and the Covid-19 crisis had a significant impact, followed by the Ukraine-Russia war. Production prices are higher, as is the cost of many raw materials. Much of this is passed onto shoppers in the form of higher costs.
Against this backdrop, it’s understandable that people are putting aside less for retirement. After all, it’s hard to think about saving for the future when you’re struggling in the present. Despite this, it’s important to consider carefully before reducing or stopping contributions.
Remember that higher inflation means you’ll need more money to retire, not less. As prices rise, the money you have saved will buy you less. The bigger your pension savings pot, the more comfortable you will be.
You also benefit from compounding returns when you’re paying into a pension. This means that the further you are from retirement, the more chance your money has to grow. Just small amounts saved in your 20s and 30s can be worth a great deal by pension age. Pausing contributions typically means you need to save more as you get older, to make up the shortfall.
Finally, when you stop paying into your pension, you don’t just lose your own contributions. You’ll miss out on tax relief (essentially free money from the government) and, in workplace schemes, you’ll lose your employer’s contribution too.
Of course, there may be some people for whom reducing pension contributions is the only option. If you’re really struggling to make ends meet or need to talk someone about the cost of living, we’ve included some useful information and contact details in the ‘Where to get support’ box at the bottom of this article.
If cutting other costs now, or a little further down the line, could help you to ease the financial pressure without affecting your retirement, here are some tips to consider:
Consider your retirement plans: If you’re approaching retirement, think carefully. Delaying it by a couple of years will make your money go much further. Consider whether going part-time and topping up your income with some of your pension savings is possible.
Citizens Advice lists the different types of help available to you, including benefits, council welfare assistance and money towards day-to-day outgoings, here. You can also call your nearest Citizens Advice – just enter your postcode or town here for the relevant contact details.
StepChange shares ways to reduce the financial impact of the crisis on your finances, here. It also has an online debt advice tool, and you can contact them online or over the phone. Find out how here.
The government is helping households to cover some costs of living. You can find out what you may be entitled to, and when any payments are due, here.
The Samaritans are available to talk 24/7, by calling the free helpline on 116 123.
The NHS offers tips for dealing with financial stress, and other sources of mental health support, here.
You can get to know your pension by regularly logging into your Retirement Savings Account. Use it to see how much you and your employer are paying in, how much you’ve saved so far, and how your investments have performed. If you need to activate your account or reset your account password, you can send us a request using Contact TPT.