Pandemic early retirees more likely to face poverty, IFS finds

Workforce leavers in 2020-21 more likely to have been 'forced' into early retirement

Jasmine Urquhart
clock • 3 min read

Those aged between 50 and 70 who left the workforce in 2020-21 are more likely to end up in poverty in the year of exit than those in previous years, a report from the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) finds.

The think tank's 2023 Living standards, poverty and inequality in the UK report primarily looked at data from the UK Household Longitudinal Study and the Office for National Statistics' Annual Population Survey to track self-reported wellbeing measures among those who recently left the workforce. The data showed those in the age group who became economically inactive the following year (2021-22) had similar outcomes to those pre-pandemic, suggesting a "particular cause for concern" among those who left the workforce during the pandemic (2020-21).  Source: IFS The report found many o...

To continue reading this article...

Join Professional Adviser for free

  • Unlimited access to real-time news, industry insights and market intelligence
  • Stay ahead of the curve with spotlights on emerging trends and technologies
  • Receive breaking news stories straight to your inbox in the daily newsletters
  • Make smart business decisions with the latest developments in regulation, investing retirement and protection
  • Members-only access to the editor’s weekly Friday commentary
  • Be the first to hear about our events and awards programmes

Join

 

Already a Professional Adviser member?

Login

Jasmine Urquhart
Author spotlight

Jasmine Urquhart

Senior Correspondent at Professional Pensions

More on Your profession

HMRC social media scam report email used just three times

HMRC social media scam report email used just three times

‘Dispiriting’ figure suggests public knowledge gap on fraud reporting

Jen Frost
clock 20 July 2026 • 5 min read
Feel Good Friday: Nine Edge Wealth sponsors young Scottish boxer

Feel Good Friday: Nine Edge Wealth sponsors young Scottish boxer

Sponsors Lara Brown

Professional Adviser
clock 17 July 2026 • 1 min read
Women's Wealth Alliance launches careers guide to attract more women to personal finance profession

Women's Wealth Alliance launches careers guide to attract more women to personal finance profession

Aimed at women at different stages of life and careers

Professional Adviser
clock 16 July 2026 • 3 min read