Only 7% of Britons expect to be able to afford an independent retirement, according  to new research from SHIP (Safe Home Income Plans), the equity release trade body- but 49% expect to have a similar or better standard of living in retirement as they do when working.

Despite 91% of people agreeing that were personally responsible for ensuring that they are financially stable during retirement, the research shows that 93% of Britons plan to taking state benefits when they retire. Only 2% of respondents stated that they would refuse as they don’t want to be a burden on the state.

Indeed, 61% of people intend to fund their retirement through a state pension, vs. only 35% of Britions who will rely on a private pension. However, not all Britons will rely on standard pension provisions to fund their retirement; 50% of Britons will use their life savings, and 17% of Britions intend to plug the gap in their pensions savings by working part-time to supplement their income.

The pensions saving patterns of Britons remain inconsistent, as 34% of Britons have no regular pension plan, whilst 21% have saved into one in the past, but no longer do. Even more contradictory, 21% of Britons say that their structured pension plan will make up a large part of their retirement provision, but 23% of those who save regularly into pension plans reveal that it won’t be enough for them to retire comforably on, leaving a gap in their finances.

Other key fundings of the research found that:

• 70% of people like the government to do more to educate them about retirement financial planning.
• Only 17% of people have had help planning their retirement from a financial adviser (either as a one off, or as regular help)
• 52% of people agreed that they were scared about how they would finance their retirement.
• 71% of Britions hadn’t spoken to their partner about planning their retirement finances
• 70% of people expect to have better or equal; standard of retirement than their parents

Andrea Rozario, Director General of SHIP, commented on the findings:

“It is clear that many people are living in a retirement funding daydream. They aren’t talking about their options with their families- and yet they still expect to have a comfortable retirement, with the help of the state.

“Unfortunately, the well is running dry. In 2030 there will be 14,678,000 over 65’s* – more than ever before- and no way of supporting all of those in need. British people and the Government need to look at what is often their greatest asset- their property. By 2030, the over 65’s will be able to access £359 billion worth of housing equity**, and could be using this to ensure the comfort of their retirement, rather than relying on a pot of public resource that may not stretch to accommodate them.”

** DWP predictions December 2009

* PPI Report, Spetember 2009