Marvin OnumonuUK savers remained cautious with their retirement money, with only 8% willing to invest in high-risk assets, PensionBee research has found.
Almost half of those surveyed, at 49%, preferred a moderate-risk approach, accepting some ups and downs if their pension grew over time.
Another 26% chose a low-risk strategy, wanting to avoid market swings, while 17% said they wanted no risk at all, even if it meant minimal growth.
The survey also showed an increasing demand for transparency, with 84% saying it was either very important or somewhat important to know exactly where their pension was invested.
Only 11% said this was of little importance, while just 5% said pension providers and fund managers should make investment decisions without keeping savers fully informed.
Despite a cautious approach, most savers were open to their pensions being invested in more complicated assets like private equity or infrastructure, if it supported growth in the UK economy.
Almost six in 10 (59%) said they were comfortable with this, provided fees and risks were made completely clear.
The remaining 41% either wanted simple, transparent assets or were unsure.
When asked what mattered most in pension investments, 52% put maximising long-term returns, low fees and transparency at the top.
Only 15% wanted their money prioritised in UK businesses.
Meanwhile, 14% said keeping savings in low-risk investments was their main concern, and 18% wanted a balanced mix of all these options.
Clare Reilly, chief engagement officer at PensionBee, said: “These findings highlight that UK pension savers want stability and transparency, not speculation.
“The majority are looking for steady, reliable growth, with most favouring a balanced, moderate-risk approach.
“This demonstrates a clear preference for managing risk without sacrificing long-term returns.”
Reilly added: “Savers want the confidence that their pension is growing steadily over time, and they demand transparency to ensure they fully understand where and how their money is being invested.”
