Too busy to plan? Why parents shouldn't put their future last

School runs, work deadlines, bills and family commitments leave little room for thinking about retirement. For many parents the children come first, and long-term planning quietly slips down the list. Yet putting your family first doesn't have to mean putting your own future last.

What the research shows

Standard Life's Retirement Voice 2026 study found that 31% of parents with children under 18 feel too busy to plan for their financial future.[1]

• Childcare is the main pressure. Two-thirds (66%) of parents who struggled to plan named looking after children as the biggest competing demand. That rose to 76% of mothers, against 54% of fathers.
• A gender gap in planning. Among parents of under-18s, 43% of women had not worked out how much they would need in retirement, compared with 22% of men.
• Widespread worry. Of people not yet retired, 63% feared they were not saving enough and 35% had never considered how much money they might need.

Retirement can feel a long way off when everyday costs are so immediate. But leaving decisions until later can narrow your options. Without a clear picture of future income and spending, it is hard to know whether your pension will support the lifestyle you want. Starting sooner gives you more time to spot a shortfall and fix it.

Simple steps that make a difference

• Check your workplace pension. Look at what you pay in and what your employer adds.
• Track down old pensions. If you've changed jobs, find pots from previous employers and see how they fit your overall plan.
• Make the most of employer contributions. Where affordable, increasing your own payments may unlock more from your employer.
• Review once a year. An annual check keeps you on course as family life changes.
• Stay realistic. Your plan should reflect today's housing, childcare and household costs, balancing now with later.

Make time for your future

Looking after your own financial future is part of looking after your family. A pension review and professional advice where appropriate can give you confidence that you're heading for a comfortable retirement.

Research source

[1] Standard Life Retirement Voice 2026. Research conducted by Ipsos in June 2026 among 6,000 UK adults aged 18 to 80 via an online survey, weighted to be representative of the UK population by age, gender and region.

Important information

This article is for information only and does not constitute tax, legal or financial advice. For guidance, seek professional advice. A pension is a long-term investment not normally accessible until age 55 (57 from April 2028, unless the plan has a protected pension age). The value of your investments (and any income from them) can go down as well as up, and you may get back less than you invest.