UK Savings Week 2025: Money worries keeping almost 40 million Brits up at night

• 72% of Brits – equivalent to 39 million people – are losing sleep over money worries
• For many, the biggest worries are dipping into savings to cover rising living costs (33%), running out of savings (28%), and the impact of inflation on savings (18%)
• While these concerns are real, Nottingham Building Society reminds people that even small, regular savings can build confidence and resilience over time 

Almost three in four UK adults (72%) - the equivalent of 39 million people - admit they are losing sleep over money worries, according to new research from Nottingham Building Society gathered ahead of UK Savings Week. 

The biggest concerns are around savings; of those who say money worries keep them awake, a third (33%) worry that they are using up too much of their savings to cover rising living costs, a quarter (28% - 10.9m adults) admit running out of savings keeps them up at night while a fifth (18%) are concerned about how much inflation – now sitting at 3.8% - is eroding their savings. 

The fresh data comes just months after the Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) Financial Lives survey revealed that one in 10 UK adults have no savings at all and over 21% of the population (about 11 million) have less than £1,000 set aside for emergencies, leaving many exposed to economic shocks and vulnerable to rising bills. 

Concerns are most acute among older adults, with 42% of over-60s worried about their savings running out - nearly double the proportion of 18–24-year-olds (22%). Furthermore, almost half (45%) of older adults say the rising cost of living is forcing them to dip into savings more than they would like, compared with just 20% of Gen Z. 

Later life finances a concern 

Nottingham Building Society’s research has also found that one in five adults (20%) worry their pension won’t provide enough income in retirement, rising to more than a quarter (28%) of over-60s, while 15% fear they will have to work longer than they would like. 

When it comes to later life costs, more than one in ten adults (13%) are worried about how they will afford care in old age, while one in eight (12%) report worrying about becoming a financial burden on their families – a figure that soars to 43% among those in their 80s. According to the latest ONS figures, as of 2023, there were approximately 372,000 care home residents in England, with 37% self-funding their care, underscoring the importance of planning ahead to ensure financial security in later years.* 

Unexpected ‘bumps in the road’  

Beyond worries about savings and retirement, many adults fear the impact of sudden financial shocks, such as divorce, bereavement, major home repairs or medical emergencies (19%) while losing money to fraud is another widespread concern. Around 16% of all adults worry about being scammed - a concern that rises steeply with age, from 17% of those in their 60s to 22% in their 70s, and as high as 43% among over-80s. 

Later-life savers share lessons for future generations 

Later-life savers are particularly reflective about their financial decisions. Around one in three (33%) wish they had started saving earlier, a similar proportion (31%) wish they had saved more, more regularly, and over a third (35%) wish they had put more into their pensions. One in five (22%) regret not building an emergency fund sooner. 

These insights highlight the value of starting early, building consistent savings habits, and planning ahead at all stages of life.  

Harriet Guevara, Chief Savings Officer at Nottingham Building Society said: “Money worries affect most people at some point, but our research highlights just how many are losing sleep over their finances – particularly older adults who fear their savings won’t last.  

“The message from those in later life is clear: starting to save earlier, putting money aside consistently, and being disciplined with spending can make a real difference to both financial security and peace of mind. Even small, consistent contributions can add up over time and make a noticeable difference, with many reflecting that building an emergency fund and planning for unexpected costs would have helped them sleep easier and feel more in control. 

 “For younger savers, this research is a reminder that habits formed now will pay off in the future. There are many tools and resources available to help people understand their options and make informed choices. Building a regular savings habit, no matter how small, can reduce stress, improve sleep, and give people greater control over their money – whether that’s saving for retirement, supporting family, or simply enjoying life with peace of mind.”

*ONS: Care homes and estimating the self-funding population, England: 2022 to 2023 

About the research  

• The research was conducted by Censuswide with 2,503 UK respondents; 2,000 nationally representative UK adults, aged 18+ & 503 UK 60+ year olds between 12.09.25 - 16.09.25. 
• Censuswide abides by and employs members of the Market Research Society and follows the MRS code of conduct and ESOMAR principles. Censuswide is also a member of the British Polling Council. 

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