What is the average pension pot in the UK in 2025?

The median DC pension pot for someone aged 60–65 is approximately £152,000. This is based on the ONS Wealth and Assets Survey with adjustments for auto-enrolment growth through 2025/26.

Is the average pension enough to retire on?

The median pot of £152,000 provides about £6,080/year in private pension income at a 4% withdrawal rate. Combined with the full state pension (£12,548/year), total income is £18,628/year — enough to exceed the PLSA Minimum standard (£13,400) but £13,072 short of the Moderate standard (£31,700).

What is the gender pension gap?

Women’s median pension pots are approximately 43% smaller than men’s by retirement age. At ages 60–65, the median man has £196,000 while the median woman has £112,000. The gap compounds over decades due to part-time work, caring responsibilities, and the pay gap.

How has auto-enrolment affected pension savings?

Workplace pension participation rose from 47% in 2008 to 88% by 2024, with approximately 11 million people auto-enrolled since the policy launched in October 2012. However, the minimum contribution rate of 8% (5% employee, 3% employer) is widely considered insufficient for a comfortable retirement.

How much should I contribute to my pension?

At the current minimum of 8%, a worker on the median salary starting at 25 would accumulate a pot that falls short of PLSA’s Moderate retirement standard. Increasing total contributions to around 12% closes the gap to Moderate, while 15% approaches the Comfortable standard (£43,900/year).

Data & Analysis

The State of UK Pensions

2025/26 Edition

11 million people were auto-enrolled into workplace pensions. Most still can't afford a moderate retirement.

How much has the UK saved?

Average pension pots by age bracket, from the ONS Wealth and Assets Survey – then modelled through drawdown.

Saving (ONS data)

Drawdown (modelled)

£152,000

Average pot at retirement (ages 60–65)

What £152,000 actually buys you

Convert the average pot to monthly income and the picture changes. At a sustainable 4% withdrawal rate, £152,000 gives you £507 a month.

Your private pension income

£507

per month

Your retirement income

Private pension (4% drawdown)£6,080/yr

Total with state pension£18,628/yr

£12,548 state + £6,080 private

PLSA Retirement Living Standards

Minimum standard£14,400/yr

✓

Moderate standard£31,300/yr

✗

Short by £13,718/yr

Comfortable standard£43,100/yr

✗

Short by £25,518/yr

−£13,072

Annual shortfall vs a moderate retirement

Women retire with 43% less

The pension gap between men and women widens with every decade. Part-time work, caring responsibilities, and the pay gap compound into a retirement crisis for women.

Men (average)

Women (average)

£196,000

Average man, 60–65

£112,000

Average woman, 60–65

Auto-enrolment changed everything

Before 2012, barely half of eligible workers had a workplace pension. Auto-enrolment brought 11 million people into the system– the biggest pension reform in a generation.

88%

Workplace pension participation in 2024, up from 47% in 2008

…but 8% isn't enough

The minimum auto-enrolment rate builds a pot that falls short of a moderate retirement. What does it take to close the gap?

Moderate (£31,700/yr)

Comfortable (£43,900/yr)

Career from 25 to 67 on median salary (£37,430), 5% growth, 4% withdrawal

Where do you stand?

Enter your age and current pension pot to see how you compare to the UK average for your age group.

Your Age35

2265

Your Pension Pot

Total value across all your pension pots

Where you stand

ahead of 46% of your age group

You’re ahead of 46% of people aged 35–39

0th50th100th

Age 35–39 comparison

Your pot£25,000

Average for your age group

£3,000 below average

£28,000

Mean for your age group£58,000

PLSA retirement living standards

✓

Minimum target at your age

On track

£4,470

✗

Moderate target at your age

Behind

£100,484

✗

Comfortable target at your age

Behind

£164,493

Full breakdown by age bracket →

What you can do about it

The data is what it is. These tools can help you take control.

Growth Projector

See what your pot could grow to

Project your pension to retirement with different contribution scenarios.

Salary Sacrifice

Boost contributions tax-free

See how salary sacrifice increases your take-home and pension in one move.

Retirement Readiness

Check if you’re on track

Compare your projected income against PLSA living standards.

Sources & methodology

Pension pots: ONS Wealth and Assets Survey Round 8 (April 2020–March 2022), with illustrative adjustments for auto-enrolment contributions and market growth through 2025/26. DC component isolated using ONS breakdowns and PPI analysis.

Auto-enrolment: TPR Automatic Enrolment Evaluation Reports (2012–2024) and DWP Workplace Pension Participation and Saving Trends.

Contribution projections: Modelled from age 25 to state pension age (67) using the ONS median full-time salary (£35,000), 5% nominal growth, and a 4% sustainable withdrawal rate.

PLSA Living Standards: Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association Retirement Living Standards 2024 for a single person outside London.

Things to consider

•All figures are illustrative estimates based on published survey data, not individual financial advice.
•DC pension wealth only — defined benefit (DB) pensions are not included in pot size statistics.
•Auto-enrolment participation data covers eligible employees in the private and public sectors.
•Contribution projections assume constant salary and contribution rates over a full career. Real outcomes vary.
•PLSA Retirement Living Standards assume a single person with full state pension entitlement.

This page presents illustrative statistics and is not financial advice. Individual pension outcomes vary enormously based on contribution history, investment choices, fees, and market conditions.

For personalised guidance on your pension, speak to an FCA-regulated financial adviser. You can find one via Unbiased or VouchedFor.