From far-reaching reforms to customer vulnerability, we’ve brought together research papers from Just and external experts to help support your understanding of the retirement income market, and the challenges those operating in it face.

Official figures showing life expectancy in England edging higher have been cautiously welcomed, despite a decline in the number of years people are expected to live in good health across all levels of income. Retirement specialist Just Group said that the latest Office for National Statistics (ONS) data presents a mixed picture of how the country’s health is recovering from the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Click here to find out more. 

When caring becomes a second job

New research from Just Group’s Taking Care of Mum & Dad research series uncovers the time burden and lost economic output that people in this age group are shouldering as a result of providing care. Unpaid carers said they are spending around 10 hours a week wrestling with bureaucratic tasks such as dealing with the NHS or local authorities, arranging medical appointments, and completing forms as part of their care responsibilities. Click here to find out more. 

Value Protection – the ‘best kept secret’ of retirement planning?

Retirement specialist Just Group says that Value Protection is the ‘best kept secret’ in retirement planning. Only 7% of annuities sold in 2024/25 included Value Protection although the proportion is edging higher as the word spreads. Click here to find out more. 

Nothing to lose but pounds to gain – low‑income pensioners urged to give Pension Credit a try

Research for the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), showed that many successful claimants made speculative applications, only to discover they were eligible. “Pension Credit is a key ‘top‑up’ benefit for low‑income pensioners, but it is not well understood, particularly the eligibility criteria and the access it provides to a range of other benefits,” said Emma Walker, Director at Just Group. Click here to find out more. 

Carers fear a pension pinch: four in 10 expect to be poorer in retirement due to their caring responsibilities

Research from the retirement specialist Just Group demonstrates the long‑term financial impact of caring for elderly relatives, with almost four in ten (38%) stating that they will be poorer in retirement because of their caring responsibilities. Click here to find out more. 

Missed connection? Research shows untapped demand for professional advice on later-life care

Only one in nine (11%) over‑45s who have helped organise later-life care for an elderly relative were supported by a professional financial adviser, leaving many families to navigate complex financial decisions alone. But despite low use of advice, new research by retirement specialist Just Group highlights the significant proportion who would welcome a referral to a financial adviser if they were considering their own options for care in old age. Click here to find out more. 

Older retirees have most to lose by falling into the best/worst income gap, Just Group analysis reveals

Retirees waiting until later in life to buy a Guaranteed Income for Life (GIfL) solution risk missing out on thousands of pounds extra by failing to shop around for the best deal. The gap between the most and least competitive provider of Guaranteed Income for Life rises from about 10% at age 65 to nearly 18% at age 75, new analysis by retirement specialist Just Group shows. Click here to find out more. 

Sandwich generation carers losing over £6,000 a year to support elderly relatives as they cut back on working hours

New research from the retirement specialist Just Group on the lives of people aged 45-75 providing care for an elderly relative uncovers the significant loss of income that carers face in order to carry out these duties. Click here to find out more. 

Just Group Care Report 2025: Social care reform - stuck in the waiting room

Our latest Care Report: Social Care – Stuck in the Waiting Room uncovers what people in the UK aged 45+ think about social care and the challenges faced by those who rely on it. Find out what they have to say here.