Youngest pension savers 'crave' online pensions info
The youngest pension savers desire online tools to help them see the value of their pots but a third of employers offer no web-based services, according to analysis by PwC.
Three in five savers born since 1994 - known as ‘Generation Z' - say they would use automated pensions advice apps, while 62% said they wanted pensions portals that link to their bank accounts online.
Yet, despite the increased demand for online services, 30% of employers do not have basic online access available to their employees, while only just over a third use e-mail to communicate with members. More than three-quarters use traditional mail-outs alone.
Correspondingly, nearly four in 10 employees (38%) said they had never viewed their pension online, with 39% saying they do not have access to such services.
The findings come from two separate surveys of 2,201 employees and 88 senior business leaders at companies with occupational pension schemes, both carried out last year.
Pensions partner Steve Blackmore said too many employers were relying on a "one-size-fits-all approach" to pensions communications.
"Younger generations are used to and expect a digital approach when it comes to engaging with their finances, but when it comes to pensions many employers are lagging behind," he said. "New and younger recruits are only to drive an even greater demand for this technology - generalised communications are not going to boost engagement."
Technology at these companies should receive a boost, however, as six in 10 employers said they were planning to invest in the area over the next three years, while 68% are attempting to encourage earlier engagement in pensions.
Head of pensions Jeremy May said, while the technology is available, many employers were "slipping further behind the curve".
He added: "People need real-time detailed access to information that paints an accurate picture of their future finances. The technology that enables this is out there, yet a significant number of employees clearly feel they are not receiving the pensions communications that they need to enable effective retirement planning."
The findings come ahead of the expected launch of an online pensions dashboard next year, with aims for the digital tool to provide up-to-date information for all of an individual's pension pots in one place.
An Origo study, published last month, estimated the service would need to be able to cope with 15 million people from day one.
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