Standard Life: UK retirement expectation gap hits record 5.3 years

Research by Standard Life showed the UK Retirement Expectation Gap widened to a record 5.3 years in 2026. Respondents still targeted retirement at 62.3, yet expected to stop work at 67.6, up from a 4.7-year gap in 2025. The gap was wider for renters (6.8 years) than outright homeowners (2.1 years).