- Six in ten UK adults feel positive about their finances for 2026 (60%), the same as last year's headline figure.
- Women are less positive (55%) than men (65%), while Gen. X (aged 44-59) are notably less upbeat (49%) than other age groups.
- Covering basic living costs is a top-three financial priority for two-in-five (39%), but pension saving is only a key focus for a worryingly low one-in-eight (12%).
- Unexpected expenses continue to be the UK's primary financial worry (33%).
New research from Aegon reveals that six in ten people in the UK feel positive about their finances for 2026 (60%), maintaining last year’s results, which were, in turn, an improvement on the 2024 data. In total, 11% feel 'extremely positive' and 49% 'somewhat positive', compared to 36% who feel negative overall.
While overall sentiment has held firm, the persistence of gender and generational gaps highlights that not everyone shares the same confidence.
Women have a net financial positivity score of 55%, versus a higher 65% for men. Among age groups, Gen. X (aged 44-59) are least upbeat about their finances at 49%, compared to Millennials (aged 28-43: 68%) and Gen. Z (aged 18-27: 64%).
When asked to pick from a long list, people said their top three financial priorities for 2026 were covering basic living expenses (39%), building emergency savings (34%), and enjoying life (33%). Pension saving remains significant, but less so at 12%. While not surprising that short-term pressures are taking precedence, this could be more worrying in the long term, with many people not on track for an adequate retirement income.
Steven Cameron, Head of Pensions at Aegon, said:
'As we move into 2026, it's encouraging that overall positivity about our finances has held up, with six in ten feeling upbeat about their finances, in line with our 2025 findings.
'However, the picture isn't uniform. Women remain less positive than men, and Gen. X stands out as the least upbeat generations when it comes to their finances for 2026. Perhaps surprisingly, Gen. Z, Millennials, Boomers and the Silent Generation all have a clear majority for positivity towards their finances for the year ahead.
'Covering basic living costs continues to dominate priorities, with building emergency savings and enjoying life second and third in the priority list. The top concern, given by one-third of those surveyed, is around unexpected expenses.
'While short-term financial pressures and concerns dominate, pension saving does feature as a top-three priority for around one in eight. With today's continuing cost-of-living pressures, the short-term focus is not a surprise. But for many people, pension saving will need to be given greater priority in future if they are to build up an adequate income for retirement. This shows the importance of the Government's Pension Commission looking at ways to improve pensions adequacy.'
Methodology
Research conducted by Opinium on behalf of Aegon UK between 19-23 December 2025, using a nationally representative survey of 2,000 UK adults.
The full Aegon Financial Priorities data pack is available on request and for use in news coverage.
About Aegon
In the UK, Aegon offers pension and investment solutions to over 3.5 million customers, supported by over 3,000 employees. Figures are correct as of 31/12/2024. Learn more at aegon.co.uk/about-us
Aegon UK is part of the wider Aegon Group, an international financial services holding company. Aegon’s ambition is to build leading businesses that offer their customers investment, protection and retirement solutions. Aegon’s portfolio of businesses includes fully-owned businesses in the United States and United Kingdom, and a global asset manager. Aegon also creates value by combining its international expertise with strong local partners via insurance joint ventures in Spain & Portugal, China and Brazil, and via asset management partnerships in France and China. In addition, Aegon owns a Bermuda-based life insurer and generates value via a strategic shareholding in a market-leading Dutch insurance and pensions company.
Aegon’s purpose of helping people live their best lives runs through all its activities. As a leading global investor and employer, Aegon seeks to have a positive impact by addressing critical environmental and societal issues, with a focus on climate change and inclusion & diversity. Aegon is headquartered in The Hague, the Netherlands, and listed on Euronext Amsterdam and the New York Stock Exchange. More information can be found at aegon.com/about
The information in this press release is intended solely for journalists and shouldn’t be relied upon by any other persons to make financial decisions.