More than three-quarters of workers are set to miss out on a moderate standard of living in later life, according to a recent report. But one simple check could ensure you are not missing out on free money which could help in later life.
Most workers aged 22 and over, and earning more than £10,000 a year (or £192 a week; or £833 a month) should automatically see some of their wages transferred to pension savings. If you have no idea whether that includes you, then experts say: usually, 5% of your salary will go into a pension savings pot (this is an additional pension pot, separate from what you will eventually receive in a state pension).
“Most workers auto-enrolled into pensions may be missing free employer contributions – check your payslip now.”
Crucially, your employer will then add money into the pot, the equivalent of at least 3% of your wages. If you do not put this money into a pension, it will be taxed, so you will lose some of it anyway. This is money you can only access in retirement, so if money is really tight then you can opt out and have the money in your wages now.
But the more money saved and invested now, the more it will grow over time, data shows. You can read more about this so-called automatic enrolment system on the independent MoneyHelper website.
Getty Images: We all know we are supposed to put something away for a rainy day, including our old age, it is just hard to find the money. That simple check could put you in a more comfortable financial position when you get older – and you may even find out you are already saving for your retirement without realising it.