![\"Martin](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/SEI_296904800-2971.jpg\")
\n\t\t\u2018Take a deep breath,\u2019 urged Martin (Picture: Getty\/Metro)<\/p>\n
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\n\t\t\u2018Take a deep breath,\u2019 urged Martin (Picture: Getty\/Metro)<\/p>\n
Think you\u2019re saving enough<\/a> for your future? Probably not, according to a pensions rule of thumb shared by Martin Lewis<\/a>.<\/p>\n In the latest edition of his newsletter, the Money Saving Expert (MSE) founder focused on pensions<\/a>, with guidance on everything from finding lost savings<\/a> to maximising your investment.<\/p>\n Among this advice, he also looked into how much we should be setting aside for retirement \u2014 and it\u2019s certainly sobering.<\/p>\n \u2018Take a deep breath,\u2019 urged Martin, before revealing a \u2018scary,, old, famous, very rough rule of thumb\u2019 to work out your route to a decent pension savings<\/a> pot.<\/p>\n He explained: \u2018Take the age when you start putting money in your pension, halve it, and that\u2019s the percentage of your salary to aim to put into your pension\u00a0for the rest of your working life\u00a0for a strong retirement income. <\/p>\n \u2018So start at 20 and it\u2019s 10% (this includes employer\u2019s contributions); at 40 it\u2019s 20%.\u2019<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\tAre you currently saving enough for your pension?<\/p>\n No, but I plan to improveCheck<\/p>\n<\/li>\n I am unsure about my pension savingsCheck<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n \t\t\t\t\tSign up to Metro’s The Slice newsletter for your guide to what’s on in London, with trusted reviews, offers and giveaways.<\/p>\n If we drill that down, it means a 40-year-old on the average UK salary for their age<\/a> (\u00a340,040) is supposed to invest \u00a38,008 into their pension this year alone. The figure for a 20-year-old on the average wage of \u00a322,932 is \u00a32,293.20.<\/p>\n Bear in mind, exact amounts will increase or decrease along with how much you earn, and your personal contribution will differ depending on how much your employer puts in.<\/p>\n However, Martin\u2019s formula is a great way to get your retirement plan started, offering a useful \u2014 if stark \u2014 insight into the consequences of burying your head in the sand.<\/p>\n \u2018Most people unfortunately won\u2019t get there.\u2019 Martin added. \u2018Yet the real message to take is that the earlier you start, the better, as you\u2019ve longer for gains to compound.\u2019<\/p>\n \t\t The MSE website<\/a> affirms this, noting that \u2018most people are unable to contribute enough at the beginning for the \u201chalf your age\u201d rule,\u2019 so you should \u2018start with whatever you can.\u2019<\/p>\n It\u2019s also advised to earmark a set proportion (rather than a set monetary amount) each month, meaning you won\u2019t start to fall behind as your earnings go up.<\/p>\n And Martin offered an additional tip for newsletter readers too: \u2018Every time you get a pay rise, if possible, put a chunk of that into your pension before you get used to the increase.\u2019<\/p>\n Lifestyle creep (sometimes known as lifestyle inflation<\/a>) is a real thing, so getting in ahead of it is a nifty way to trick yourself into being responsible. <\/p>\n Spending in the here and now is often necessary, but just think how happy \u2018future you\u2019 will be if you look out for them too.<\/p>\n Do you have a story to share?<\/strong><\/p>\n Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n Arrow Arrow Arrow\n
![\"Overhead](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/GettyImages-1440703929.jpg\")
\n\t\tThe earlier you start, the less you\u2019ll have to put aside each month (Picture: Getty Images)<\/p>\n
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