UK ranks 14 in global retirement index

Although the UK remained in 14th place, the index revealed a two-percentage point drop in its overall score to 72 per cent, which was attributed to losses in the material wellbeing and finances in retirement sub-indices

The UK held firm at 14th place in the Natixis Investment Managers’ (Natixis IM) 2025 Global Retirement Index, despite losses in the country’s material wellbeing and finances in retirement scores.

Created in collaboration with CoreData Research, the index assesses factors such as healthcare access and cost, climate, governance, and overall population well-being across four sub-indices, which together provide a full picture of the retirement environment in each country.

Although the UK remained in 14th place, the index revealed a two-percentage point drop in its overall score to 72 per cent, which was attributed to losses in the material wellbeing and finances in retirement sub-indices.

In particular, material wellbeing saw the sharpest decline in the UK, dropping by five percentage points from last year, landing in 26th place, with the UK’s unemployment score declining to 20th place amid “lingering vulnerability” in the UK labour market.

Whilst the UK’s inflation indicator score improved from 82% to 85%, this was also true for global peers, which meant that the UK actually dropped two spots lower at 32nd place.

The health retirement sub-index was the strongest in the UK, where life expectancy scores increased from 78% to 88%, lifting the country eight places to 10th.

This is in line with recent trends, as, since the pandemic, health has been the only consistently improving measure, while quality of life has remained stable in 11th place.

However, Natixis IM found that, regardless of where their home country may rank, individuals are finding that retirement security can be an elusive goal in 2025.

Commenting on this year’s results, Natixis IM head of Northern Europe MEACA, Andrew Benton, said: Pressures on retirement across the globe are undeniable, and the results of the index underscore the importance of proactive planning across all areas to safeguard the future of retirees.

In the UK, while rankings remain largely consistent, there are clear vulnerabilities in the labour market weighing on progress, he said.

The government has already signalled action, with reforms announced in July to strengthen pension systems, expand choice, and enhance consumer protections, and we expect to see more measures in the autumn budget, he said.