One in three adults have taken no steps to prepare for their death – Aegon

Aegon’s money:mindshift research found one in three (32%) of UK adults have done nothing to prepare for their death, even though 83% said financial preparation is important. 

Only 38% have written a will, 26% have communicated their wishes, and 18% have organised key financial documents such as pension information, insurance details or account records. 

Emotional barriers still exist, with 74% agreeing emotional preparation is important, and 13% saying the topic is too emotional or uncomfortable.

Younger adults were more likely to postpone, saying preparation isn’t necessary yet and feeling unsure how to begin. 

Tom Mathar, head of money:mindshift, said: “We save for home deposits or repay our mortgage, we build up rainy day funds, and we plan for children’s futures. 

“Yet the one thing we know for certain will happen to us is the very thing so many of us avoid preparing for: writing wills, communicating our wishes, or organising essential financial documents like pension information, insurance details, and account records.

“Thinking about death can be painful, disorienting, and destabilising.”

Mathar added: “We haven’t been taught to talk about it or plan for it. In fact, the language of death, grief, loss, legacy, and letting go is a language we must deliberately relearn.