Almost three in four UK adults, the equivalent of 39 million people, admit they are losing sleep over money worries, according to new research from Nottingham Building Society published ahead of UK Savings Week.
Of those who said finances keep them awake, one-third are concerned about using up too much of their savings to cover living costs, while 28% worry about running out of savings altogether.
A further 18% are anxious about the effect of inflation, now at 3.8%, on their savings. The findings follow recent Financial Conduct Authority data showing that one in 10 UK adults have no savings, while more than one in five have less than £1,000 set aside for emergencies.
The survey highlights particularly acute concerns among older adults, with 42% of over-60s worried about their savings running out, compared with 22% of 18–24-year-olds.
Almost half of older respondents also said the cost of living was forcing them to dip into savings more than they would like. Later-life concerns extended to pensions, with one in five adults fearing theirs will not provide enough income in retirement, and more than a quarter of over-60s expressing the same worry.
Other concerns included paying for care in old age, cited by 13%, and becoming a financial burden on family members, noted by 12% overall but rising to 43% among those in their 80s. Unexpected life events such as divorce, bereavement or major repairs were a worry for 19% of respondents, while 16% were concerned about fraud and scams – a figure that increased sharply with age.
Later-life savers also shared lessons they wished they had learned earlier, with a third saying they regretted not starting to save sooner and a similar proportion wishing they had saved more regularly. More than a third said they wished they had contributed more to pensions, while 22% regretted not building an emergency fund.
Harriet Guevara, chief savings officer at Nottingham Building Society, said: “Money worries affect most people at some point, but our research highlights just how many are losing sleep over their finances – particularly older adults who fear their savings won’t last.
“The message from those in later life is clear: starting to save earlier, putting money aside consistently, and being disciplined with spending can make a real difference to both financial security and peace of mind.
“Even small, consistent contributions can add up over time and make a noticeable difference, with many reflecting that building an emergency fund and planning for unexpected costs would have helped them sleep easier and feel more in control.
“For younger savers, this research is a reminder that habits formed now will pay off in the future. There are many tools and resources available to help people understand their options and make informed choices.
“Building a regular savings habit, no matter how small, can reduce stress, improve sleep, and give people greater control over their money – whether that’s saving for retirement, supporting family, or simply enjoying life with peace of mind.”
