Survey Exposes Critical Pension Oversight Among UK Job Movers
A comprehensive survey has uncovered a significant financial oversight among British workers changing employment, with more than a third failing to inquire about pension arrangements during the hiring process.
The Pension Inquiry Gap
Research conducted by savings and investments firm M&G, through Opinium in September 2025, surveyed 2,000 people across the United Kingdom. The findings revealed that 36 percent of individuals who started new positions within the previous five years did not ask about their new employer's pension scheme at any stage of the application or interview process.
This represents a substantial disconnect between what workers value and what they feel comfortable discussing during job negotiations.
The study detailed specific timing patterns among those who did eventually ask about pensions. Approximately one-fifth of respondents waited until receiving a formal job offer before raising the question, while 16 percent delayed until after accepting the role. A further 12 percent only addressed pension matters during their final interview.
Contrast Between Values and Actions
Despite this reluctance to inquire, workplace pension packages emerged as the third most influential factor when workers evaluated which benefits would determine their acceptance of a position. The survey clearly demonstrated this hierarchy of priorities:
- Salary - 48 percent
- Flexible working arrangements - 25 percent
- Workplace pension package - 22 percent
Additional benefits that influenced decisions included generous holiday allowances (22 percent), bonus schemes (13 percent), professional development budgets (13 percent), health insurance (13 percent), wellbeing support (10 percent), and personal finance assistance (8 percent).
Administrative Challenges and Knowledge Gaps
Separate research conducted by M&G in collaboration with the Social Market Foundation, also carried out by Opinium among 3,000 individuals, highlighted broader pension management difficulties among workers.
The findings revealed concerning knowledge gaps and administrative struggles:
- 40 percent of full-time employees surveyed did not know their employer's pension contribution rates
- 43 percent have never adjusted their own contribution levels
- 25 percent have lost track of previous pension pots from past employment
Expert Commentary and Recommendations
Kerrigan Procter, managing director of corporate pension solutions at M&G, emphasized the importance of pension considerations during job transitions. "When applying for a job, checking the pension scheme on offer is essential," Procter stated.
He continued: "Too many people are missing out because they don't ask, or the information isn't readily available. Employers should make pension details clear and upfront in job adverts. When combined with a simple pension health check at each job move, that transparency could make a huge difference to people's financial security. Pensions need to be impossible to overlook."
The research underscores a critical need for both improved employer transparency regarding pension offerings and increased employee confidence in discussing retirement benefits during career transitions.
