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Am I On Track for Retirement?

Answer five quick questions to get a personalised retirement readiness score and actionable next steps.

Question 1 of 5

How old are you?

What This Quiz Measures

This quiz assesses five key factors that determine retirement readiness: your current age (how much time you have for compound growth), your existing pension savings, your monthly contribution rate, your target retirement age, and the lifestyle you want in retirement. Together, these paint a quick picture of whether your current trajectory is likely to meet your goals.

It is not a substitute for a detailed pension projection. For a more precise estimate, try our pension calculator, which models year-by-year growth, inflation, and drawdown income. For personalised advice, consider speaking to an FCA-authorised pension adviser.

Why Starting Early Matters

The single biggest advantage in retirement planning is time. Thanks to compound growth, someone who starts contributing £300 per month at age 25 could accumulate significantly more than someone who starts contributing £500 per month at age 40 — even though the later starter contributes more in total. That is why age is weighted heavily in this quiz.

What If My Score Is Low?

A low score does not mean a comfortable retirement is out of reach. It means there is work to do, and the sooner you act, the better. Even modest increases in monthly contributions can compound into meaningful sums over 10, 20, or 30 years. Reviewing your workplace pension, maximising employer matching, and ensuring your investments are appropriately allocated are all practical steps that can improve your position.

FAQ
How much do I need to retire in the UK?
The PLSA Retirement Living Standards suggest a single person needs roughly £14,400/year for a minimum retirement, £31,300/year for moderate, and £43,100/year for comfortable (2024 figures). These include the full new state pension of £11,502/year. Couples need less per person due to shared costs.
Is my pension pot big enough?
That depends on your age, how much you are contributing, when you want to retire, and the income you need. As a rough guide, using the 4% drawdown rule, a £250,000 pot could provide around £10,000 per year in retirement income. Use our pension calculator to model your specific situation.
When can I access my pension?
You can currently access your private pension from age 55, rising to 57 in 2028. The state pension age is currently 66 and is set to rise to 67 between 2026 and 2028, then to 68 between 2044 and 2046. You can take 25% of your pension pot tax-free (up to £268,275), with the remainder taxed as income.
Should I speak to a financial adviser about my pension?
If you are unsure whether you are saving enough, have multiple pension pots, or are within 10 years of retirement, professional advice can be very valuable. Research shows that advised clients tend to accumulate £30,000–£40,000 more over 10 years than non-advised clients with similar profiles. You can find a pension adviser near you on approval.co.uk.

Want personalised pension advice?

A pension specialist can review your current arrangements, advise on contribution levels, and help you plan for the retirement income you want. Find an FCA-authorised adviser near you.

Find a Pension Adviser

This quiz provides a general indication only and does not constitute financial advice. Your score is based on simplified assumptions and may not reflect your actual retirement readiness. Individual circumstances vary significantly. Tax treatment depends on individual circumstances and may change. approval.co.uk is not authorised by the FCA and does not provide financial advice. Always consult a qualified financial adviser before making decisions about your retirement savings.