Nearly one in three working people in the UK plan to review and reduce their monthly spending in 2026, making it the most common financial New Year's resolution, according to a survey commissioned by Pensions UK. The proportion has risen from around one in four (26%) last year to 31% this year.
Building up rainy day savings has also grown in importance, with 28% planning to do so, up from 21% in 2025. Meanwhile, 26% aim to save towards a specific goal such as a house deposit, holiday, or education, unchanged from a year earlier.
Paying off debts is a priority for 20%, down from 22% last year, while 16% want to create or update their household budget, up from 15%. Beyond day-to-day finances, more people are looking to grow wealth through investment: 12% plan to open an Isa (up from 7%) and 14% intend to invest in stocks, shares, or other assets (up from 10%).
Pension planning is also on the rise, with 12% planning to review their pension and retirement goals, and 10% aiming to increase contributions. Among those considering a pension review, 30% said they would increase contributions, a significant rise from 20% last year. Other actions include checking pension balances (23%), reviewing projected retirement income (16%), updating beneficiaries (10%), and consolidating pensions (8%).
Matthew Blakstad, deputy director of strategic policy and research at Pensions UK, said: “The start of a new year is the perfect time to reset financial goals. While everyday needs often take priority, it is encouraging to see people increasingly willing to take action on pensions. However, experience shows that our best-laid plans for our pensions don’t always translate into action.”
The survey, conducted by Yonder Consulting among more than 1,500 non-retired people in December, highlights a growing focus on financial planning for the year ahead.
