Originally published: WealthBriefing, 03 June 2026
One in four expect to retire on a lower standard of living, new research from UK wealth manager Rathbones reveals. Nearly a quarter of respondents said they will delay retirement to support children or grandchildren.
Many parents and grandparents are making financial trade-offs to support their children and grandchildren’s university costs, with many expecting to delay retirement, cut pension savings or accept a lower standard of living in later life, according to new research from UK wealth manager Rathbones.
The survey was conducted by research company Pureprofile on behalf of Rathbones in May 2026.
The survey of 1,010 parents and grandparents who are funding education costs for children or grandchildren found that over one in four believe they will retire on a lower standard of living than originally planned, while 24 per cent expect to delay retirement and 17 per cent anticipate reducing pension contributions as a result of funding university education costs.
Among those expecting to delay retirement, 43 per cent believe they will need to work for at least three additional years, including 11 per cent who expect to postpone retirement by more than five years.
“It’s completely understandable that parents want to give their children the best possible start in life – and for many, that still means university,” Rebecca Williams, financial planning divisional lead at Rathbones, said. “But it shouldn’t come at the cost of their own financial security. Education is a worthwhile investment, but it’s important to be clear on the long-term cost and to balance that with your own plans.”
