In a pedestrian poll, most people questioned by Morningstar.co.uk said they thought workers should start thinking about retirement and paying into a pension as soon as they start working. From one’s early-20s, each individual should take responsibility for their future, said our pollsters. “At that age I suppose you’re not really thinking about it, but as you approach retirement and look back at what you’ve amassed you realise you really should have started earlier,” one participant told Morningstar.co.uk earlier this week. Consensus among the largely middle-aged people questioned pointed to ages 23-30 as the prime time to start saving in a pension, but one gentleman in his late 20s said he didn't plan to start thinking about it until his mid-50s.
Though investment performance and charges play a part, the two most important factors when investing for your retirement are how much you save and how long you save for. Start saving at age 22 instead of age 25 and you’ll increase your pay-out by around 20%, even if you save the same monthly amount, thanks to compound interest. But delay the start of your monthly saving activities from age 25 to 35 and you’ll end up with around 50% less.