A third of adults (32%) have made no end-of-life preparations, despite believing that financial preparation matters, a new study shows.
New research from Aegon’s Money:Mindshift highlights a widening preparedness gap in end-of-life planning.
While 83% of UK adults say financial preparation for death matters – and 43% deem it “very important” – the intent is not translating into action, Aegon said.
A third (32%) of people have taken no steps at all, with only 38% having written a will, 26% having communicated their wishes, and just 18% having organised core financial documents such as pension information, insurance details or account records.
The research showed emotional barriers also persist: although 74% agree emotional preparation is important, 13% say the topic feels too emotional or uncomfortable.
Younger adults have a stronger sense of postponement and are much more likely to say they don’t think preparation is necessary yet. They are also a little more likely to feel unsure about how to begin. That highlights a behavioural barrier and a market wide opportunity for clearer guidance, streamlined tools, and earlier interventions, Aegon said.
Tom Mathar, head of Money:Mindshift, said: “We save for home deposits or repay our mortgage, we build up rainy day funds, and we plan for children’s futures. Yet the one thing we know for certain will happen to us is the very thing so many of us avoid preparing for: writing wills, communicating our wishes, or organising essential financial documents like pension information, insurance details, and account records.
“Thinking about death can be painful, disorienting, and destabilising. We haven’t been taught to talk about it or plan for it. In fact, the language of death, grief, loss, legacy, and letting go is a language we must deliberately relearn.”
• Fieldwork was conducted by Opinium between 17-20 February, among 2,000 UK adults.