More than half of the population aren't putting money into a pension plan, a survey has found.
Retirement savings are low for many people, Halifax has indicated.
The financial firm has just released the results of a special New Year survey - showing that more than half (52 percent) of the UK population is not paying in to a pension plan at the moment. Worse, 70 percent were found to believe that state pension income is higher than it actually is, indicating that many will get a financial shock when they retire.
In addition, Halifax found that 53 percent of people would prefer to see friends and family to discuss financial problems, rather than an adviser. Indeed, just 16 percent were found to have sought out professional financial help of this kind over the past year.
Halifax said that, as a result of these findings, many Britons might look to make a "fresh start" for their personal finances in 2009. Karen Crowshaw, managing director of Halifax Financial Services, added: "Most of us religiously hit the high street for the pre-Christmas rush and the New Year January sales, but too few of us include banking products in our bargain hunting.
"By making a few small changes today and seeking the appropriate advice, you could make some significant financial gains in the future. In light of the recent financial climate, it has never been more important to seek out the best product deals available."
