Over 60s admit their biggest savings regret

Older Brits have revealed their biggest savings regret as some purportedly lose sleep over a "lack of action". According to new research from Nottingham Building Society, over 60s wish they'd been better disciplined with savings and spent less on "things they didn't need". Experts say 33% of over 60s wish they'd started saving earlier, rising to 41% for those in their 80s. Meanwhile, 35% wished they had put more in their pensions. "The message from those in later life is clear: starting to save earlier, putting money aside consistently, and being disciplined with spending can make a real difference to both financial security and peace of mind," Harriet Guevara, Chief Savings Officer at Nottingham Building Society said.

"Even small, consistent contributions can add up over time and make a noticeable difference, with many reflecting that building an emergency fund and planning for unexpected costs would have helped them sleep easier and feel more in control." She added: "For younger savers, this research is a reminder that habits formed now will pay off in the future. There are many tools and resources available to help people understand their options and make informed choices.

"Building a regular savings habit, no matter how small, can reduce stress, improve sleep, and give people greater control over their money - whether that's saving for retirement, supporting family, or simply enjoying life with peace of mind."

Full data

The research was conducted by Censuswide with 2,503 UK respondents - 2,000 nationally representative UK adults, aged 18+ and 503 UK 60+ year olds - between September 12 and 16.

• 33% of over 60s wish they'd started saving earlier, rising to 41% for those in their 80s
• 35% wish they'd put more in their pensions
• 22% regret not building an emergency fund sooner
• 26% saying they wish they'd spent less on the things they don't need - this rises to 41% of people in their 80s.
• Just 6% of over 60s say they wish they'd spent more on the things they want.
• 18% wish they'd budgeted better and 14% wish they'd focussed more on the long term

This lack of action has left many over 60s worrying about - and even apparently losing sleep over - money, specifically, not having enough to live on now and in retirement.

• 42% of over-60s worried about their savings running out - nearly double the proportion of 18-24-year-olds (22%).
• 45% say the rising cost of living is forcing them to dip into savings more than they would like, compared with just 20% of Gen Z.
• 28% worry their pension won't provide enough income in retirement
• 15% fear they will have to work longer than they would like
• 13% are worried about how they will afford care in old age,
• 12% report worrying about becoming a financial burden on their families - a figure that soars to 43% among those in their 80s.

Five top tips from over 60s to younger generations

Nottingham Building Society has revealed its top tips for younger savers to the Express.

Start saving as early as possible
A third of over-60s (33%) - and 41% of those in their 80s - wish they had started saving sooner. The key lesson is that starting small and early beats starting late with more. Even modest contributions made consistently have longer to grow thanks to compound interest, helping you avoid the stress of trying to "catch up" later in life.

Prioritise your pension
More than a third (35%) regret not putting more into their pension. The lesson is clear: starting early matters, even if you can't contribute much at first. Small, regular payments made over decades benefit from compound growth, and many employers match contributions - effectively giving you free money towards your future. Building the habit early not only grows your pension pot, but also makes retirement saving feel like a natural, consistent part of your finances.

Build an emergency fund
Financial Conduct Authority's (FCA) Financial Lives survey revealed 21% of the population (around 11million) have less than £1,000 set aside for emergencies, while Nottingham Building Society's research reveals one in five (22%) over 60s wish they had created a rainy-day pot sooner. Having money set aside for unexpected costs provides peace of mind and reduces reliance on credit.

Spend less on "things you don't need"
A quarter (26%) say overspending on non-essentials is their biggest financial regret - rising to 41% among people in their 80s. Being disciplined with discretionary spending leaves more room for savings and pensions.

Think long term, not just short term
Almost one in five (18%) wish they had budgeted better, while 14% regret not focusing more on the future. Balancing short-term enjoyment with long-term security can prevent stress and sleepless nights later in life.