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Better Pensions Coalition

With our friends at 350.org and Just Money Movement, we’ve launched a petition calling on the government to reform the pensions system so it delivers better outcomes for savers and pensioners, the economy and the environment.

Sign the petition here

We are sleep-walking into a pensions crisis. 

The UK’s pension system is huge – the largest in Europe – with pension funds holding more than £2 trillion in assets. And yet, despite these enormous sums, millions of people face the prospect of poverty in retirement because they’re not able to save enough. 

The top 10% of pension holders own more than 60% of private pension wealth, while the bottom 50% hold less than 1%. Women, people of colour and disabled people are especially likely to be facing financial hardship

A secure future also requires a safe climate and a stable economy. Pension funds could be used to support the economy and tackle the climate crisis, if they were invested in growing the industries of the future and supporting the transition to a low-carbon economy. Yet too much is still invested in activities which are actively harmful to people, nature and the climate.

It doesn’t have to be this way

The government has kicked off a major review of the pensions system – so there is a massive opportunity to reform it so it works better for savers and pensioners, for the economy, and for the planet. 

With the right policies in place, the pensions system can deliver a decent retirement for all and hundreds of billions of pounds to invest in the green economy.

Join the campaign!

We coordinate the Better Pensions Coalition – a broad alliance of trade unions, pensions industry experts, consumer groups, charities, and environmental and economic justice organisations. Together we are calling for the government to:

  1. Deliver decent pensions for all;
  2. Fund a just transition to a thriving low-carbon economy; and
  3. Phase out investment in fossil fuels, deforestation and other harmful industries.

If your organisation is interested in getting involved, then please get in touch. We are currently holding coalition coordination calls roughly every six weeks, to discuss how to influence the Pension Schemes Bill and Pensions Commission. You can also support the campaign by signing our petition, co-hosted by 350.org and Just Money Movement, and supported by celebrities including White Lotus star Jason Isaacs, national treasure Stephen Fry, and comedian Aisling Bea. UK Divest’s tool helps you easily write an email your MP!

Get in touch

Some Key Stats

  • The top 10% of pension holders hold over 60% of all private pension wealth, while the bottom 50% hold less than 1%
  • On average women in 2023 were forecast to receive 37% smaller private pension pots at retirement than men
  • £300 billion of UK pension capital is invested in companies with a high risk of driving deforestation,  while £88bn is invested in the fossil fuel industry. Only 4% of the pensions industry’s assets are invested in climate solutions.

Find out more