Andrew Phillips
@andrewphillips.bsky.social
Policy & Research Manager at the Standard Life Centre for the Future of Retirement. Previously a researcher at Demos and the Institute for Government. Views my own.
https://www.standardlife.co.uk/centre-for-the-future-of-retirement
https://www.standardlife.co.uk/centre-for-the-future-of-retirement
January 30, 2026 at 11:15 AM
Read the report on our website here: www.standardlife.co.uk/centre-for-t...
Decisions in the dark: How the DC pioneer generation are navigating retirement income decisions
Retirement in the UK is changing. The shift from Defined Benefit (DB) to Defined Contribution (DC) pensions, combined with pension freedoms, longer working lives and a rising state pension age, means ...
www.standardlife.co.uk
January 30, 2026 at 11:15 AM
Read the report on our website here: www.standardlife.co.uk/centre-for-t...
"I like the metaphor of stepping stones because that's kind of what it is. You're kind of transitioning from A to B, and I think stepping stones is much softer language than transitioning or changing. So for me, stepping stones is a nice way to describe it; it is a change."
- Female, 58
- Female, 58
January 30, 2026 at 11:15 AM
"I like the metaphor of stepping stones because that's kind of what it is. You're kind of transitioning from A to B, and I think stepping stones is much softer language than transitioning or changing. So for me, stepping stones is a nice way to describe it; it is a change."
- Female, 58
- Female, 58
"I think you need to think about that [how much to draw down from your pension], because it's a bit like taking the plunge and you don't really know how deep the water is."
- Male, 59
- Male, 59
January 30, 2026 at 11:15 AM
"I think you need to think about that [how much to draw down from your pension], because it's a bit like taking the plunge and you don't really know how deep the water is."
- Male, 59
- Male, 59
A few example quotes:
"Peace of mind would be my priority. I would definitely trade off [some flexibility] for the peace of mind every time and the contentment."
- Female, 61
"Peace of mind would be my priority. I would definitely trade off [some flexibility] for the peace of mind every time and the contentment."
- Female, 61
January 30, 2026 at 11:15 AM
A few example quotes:
"Peace of mind would be my priority. I would definitely trade off [some flexibility] for the peace of mind every time and the contentment."
- Female, 61
"Peace of mind would be my priority. I would definitely trade off [some flexibility] for the peace of mind every time and the contentment."
- Female, 61
We found that:
- Transition to retirement is a period of emotional uncertainty, with peace of mind often trumping purely financial logic
- Shift to DC pensions creates a daunting landscape, leading to a strong desire for control and simplicity
- Decisions heavily influenced by emotional responses
- Transition to retirement is a period of emotional uncertainty, with peace of mind often trumping purely financial logic
- Shift to DC pensions creates a daunting landscape, leading to a strong desire for control and simplicity
- Decisions heavily influenced by emotional responses
January 30, 2026 at 11:15 AM
We found that:
- Transition to retirement is a period of emotional uncertainty, with peace of mind often trumping purely financial logic
- Shift to DC pensions creates a daunting landscape, leading to a strong desire for control and simplicity
- Decisions heavily influenced by emotional responses
- Transition to retirement is a period of emotional uncertainty, with peace of mind often trumping purely financial logic
- Shift to DC pensions creates a daunting landscape, leading to a strong desire for control and simplicity
- Decisions heavily influenced by emotional responses
Among people in their 50s and 60s, those reliant on DC pensions are early pioneers of a new type of retirement - defined not by a single event, but by a prolonged period of complex decision-making.
Through 25 in-depth interviews, we explored how psychology influences retirement income decisions.
Through 25 in-depth interviews, we explored how psychology influences retirement income decisions.
January 30, 2026 at 11:15 AM
Among people in their 50s and 60s, those reliant on DC pensions are early pioneers of a new type of retirement - defined not by a single event, but by a prolonged period of complex decision-making.
Through 25 in-depth interviews, we explored how psychology influences retirement income decisions.
Through 25 in-depth interviews, we explored how psychology influences retirement income decisions.
Both - a higher number of people in their 60s overall and a higher proportion of people aged 60-64/65 in income poverty. See charts 3 and 11! www.standardlife.co.uk/centre-for-t...
Jam tomorrow? Work, finances and retirement in an era of a rising State Pension age
As the State Pension age rises to 67, we think the government needs to put in place policies to ensure that as many people as possible have financial security throughout their 60s and beyond.
www.standardlife.co.uk
December 3, 2025 at 10:05 PM
Both - a higher number of people in their 60s overall and a higher proportion of people aged 60-64/65 in income poverty. See charts 3 and 11! www.standardlife.co.uk/centre-for-t...
Savings in private pension pots are exempt from this rule, which is good - although you're absolutely right that it penalises other types of saving. And the thresholds of £6,000 and £16,000 have been frozen in cash terms since 2006! See www.resolutionfoundation.org/publications...
Saving penalties • Resolution Foundation
Means-tested benefits in Britain are built on the principle that individuals with significant financial resources should use those before turning to the state for help. That’s why wealth – as well as ...
www.resolutionfoundation.org
December 3, 2025 at 4:49 PM
Savings in private pension pots are exempt from this rule, which is good - although you're absolutely right that it penalises other types of saving. And the thresholds of £6,000 and £16,000 have been frozen in cash terms since 2006! See www.resolutionfoundation.org/publications...
@csfoot.bsky.social @patrickjthomson.bsky.social @naomiclayton.bsky.social @stephenevans.bsky.social @louisemurphy.bsky.social @charliemccurdy.bsky.social @emilyishness.bsky.social @dan-goss.bsky.social @sarahoconnorft.ft.com @jburnmurdoch.ft.com @amyborrett.ft.com @marymcd.bsky.social
December 3, 2025 at 1:54 PM
See the report for our recommendations for targeted government interventions to scale the supply of skills to match growing demand.
May be of interest to @acjsissons.bsky.social, @codrinacretu.bsky.social, @annaclarke.bsky.social, @chrisstark.bsky.social, @zackleather.resolutionfoundation.org
May be of interest to @acjsissons.bsky.social, @codrinacretu.bsky.social, @annaclarke.bsky.social, @chrisstark.bsky.social, @zackleather.resolutionfoundation.org
November 19, 2025 at 11:02 AM
See the report for our recommendations for targeted government interventions to scale the supply of skills to match growing demand.
May be of interest to @acjsissons.bsky.social, @codrinacretu.bsky.social, @annaclarke.bsky.social, @chrisstark.bsky.social, @zackleather.resolutionfoundation.org
May be of interest to @acjsissons.bsky.social, @codrinacretu.bsky.social, @annaclarke.bsky.social, @chrisstark.bsky.social, @zackleather.resolutionfoundation.org
76,000 jobs in England have heat pump-relevant skills but they overlap with those needed in construction and infrastructure.
To ensure homes are heated reliably, we need a skilled and competent workforce to maintain public confidence, as well as expanding the number of people with heat pump skills.
To ensure homes are heated reliably, we need a skilled and competent workforce to maintain public confidence, as well as expanding the number of people with heat pump skills.
November 19, 2025 at 10:57 AM
76,000 jobs in England have heat pump-relevant skills but they overlap with those needed in construction and infrastructure.
To ensure homes are heated reliably, we need a skilled and competent workforce to maintain public confidence, as well as expanding the number of people with heat pump skills.
To ensure homes are heated reliably, we need a skilled and competent workforce to maintain public confidence, as well as expanding the number of people with heat pump skills.