Three in five people (60%) are positive about their finances for 2025 in comparison to only half who felt this way going into 2024, according to new research.

Just over a third of Britons (35%) surveyed for Aegon’s latest Financial Priorities research felt negative about their finances for this year, a drop from 38% last year.

Women (54%) and those between 50 and 59 (47%) were considerably less likely to feel positive about their finances this year. This was consistent with the provider’s Second 50 research last year.

However, Britons were not prioritising pension saving, with it only being a top three financial priority for 11% of those surveyed. This figure remained unchanged from last year.

When asked for their top three financial priorities, respondents said enjoying life (34%) was the most common. This was up from 28% who responded with enjoying life as a top three financial priority going into last year. This was followed by building up emergency savings and paying for basic living expenses (both 30%).  

Steven Cameron, director of pensions at Aegon, said there was a growing realisation among those in their 50s that they have not saved enough for retirement.

He said: “There is perhaps a growing realisation for many that they have not managed to save enough for the retirement they want.

“Undoubtedly there will be challenges for the year ahead – both in terms of individual and family household budgets, business confidence and wider economic factors that impact us all – and so it will be interesting to track the results both across 2025 and into future years.”  

• Opinium surveyed 2,000 UK adults on behalf of Aegon between 13 and 17 December.