Part Three explores technology and AI are set to play an increasingly important role in helping people engage with their pensions and make retirement decisions. The latest findings from the 2026 Scottish Widows Retirement Report explore how innovations such as pension dashboards, open finance, gamified learning and AI-powered support could make retirement planning more accessible and intuitive.

While awareness of AI is widespread, trust remains a significant barrier, particularly for higher-stakes financial decisions. The research highlights both the opportunities and challenges ahead, showing how technology could help close the advice gap, improve engagement and widen access to support, provided it is implemented with appropriate safeguards, transparency and consumer protections.

Read the press release.

Part Two of Retirement Report 2026 explores the decisions people face when turning their pension savings into retirement income. While pension freedoms have given people greater choice and flexibility, many still lack confidence in their options and access support too late. The report examines awareness, decision-making behaviours, advice and guidance needs, and the policy reforms that could help people achieve better retirement outcomes.

Part One of the 2026 Scottish Widows Retirement Report focuses on the nation’s readiness for their financial future and brings together new evidence on how prepared the UK is in a period of economic change, rising living costs and health challenges. Drawing on our National Retirement Forecast - which looks at the retirement lifestyles different groups are on target for - the report explores who is most at risk of falling short in retirement, why these risks persist and what could make the greatest difference over time.

The findings highlight both the scale of the challenge and the policy choices that will shape future retirement outcomes.

Read the press release.