Patrick Thomson
@patrickjthomson.bsky.social
Head of research analysis and policy at the Standard Life Centre for the Future of Retirement. Think tank thinking about helping people achieve long term financial security www.standardlife.co.uk/centre-for-the-future-of-retirement
Reposted by Patrick Thomson
New research out today
"Retirement Voice 2025: How an era of uncertainty is affecting our attitudes towards retirement"
We used a new 6k survey of the UK population. I had fun designing the charts! Find out how people feel about finances, work and retirement
www.standardlife.co.uk/centre-for-t...
"Retirement Voice 2025: How an era of uncertainty is affecting our attitudes towards retirement"
We used a new 6k survey of the UK population. I had fun designing the charts! Find out how people feel about finances, work and retirement
www.standardlife.co.uk/centre-for-t...
October 7, 2025 at 10:29 AM
New research out today
"Retirement Voice 2025: How an era of uncertainty is affecting our attitudes towards retirement"
We used a new 6k survey of the UK population. I had fun designing the charts! Find out how people feel about finances, work and retirement
www.standardlife.co.uk/centre-for-t...
"Retirement Voice 2025: How an era of uncertainty is affecting our attitudes towards retirement"
We used a new 6k survey of the UK population. I had fun designing the charts! Find out how people feel about finances, work and retirement
www.standardlife.co.uk/centre-for-t...
Reposted by Patrick Thomson
Good piece in the FT which cites our research from the Standard Life Centre for the Future of Retirement on the demographics of the Industrial Strategy workforce.
The ageing workforce should be central to UK growth ambitions on.ft.com/45jsxXS | opinion
The ageing workforce should be central to UK growth ambitions
The scale and immediacy of demographic change has been overlooked in the industrial strategy
on.ft.com
August 12, 2025 at 10:29 AM
Good piece in the FT which cites our research from the Standard Life Centre for the Future of Retirement on the demographics of the Industrial Strategy workforce.
Reposted by Patrick Thomson
Interesting chart from this @stephenkb.bsky.social piece.
Should be viewed alongside the birth-rate chart (see next post).
www.ft.com/content/107a...
Should be viewed alongside the birth-rate chart (see next post).
www.ft.com/content/107a...
August 8, 2025 at 6:19 AM
Interesting chart from this @stephenkb.bsky.social piece.
Should be viewed alongside the birth-rate chart (see next post).
www.ft.com/content/107a...
Should be viewed alongside the birth-rate chart (see next post).
www.ft.com/content/107a...
Ahead of the Euro 2025 quarterfinals...
How would you feel if the officials added an additional 14 minutes of injury time at the end of the 90?
That's how much longer women in the UK need to achieve pay parity.
In Belgium it's just 1 extra minute
How would you feel if the officials added an additional 14 minutes of injury time at the end of the 90?
That's how much longer women in the UK need to achieve pay parity.
In Belgium it's just 1 extra minute
July 16, 2025 at 12:55 PM
Ahead of the Euro 2025 quarterfinals...
How would you feel if the officials added an additional 14 minutes of injury time at the end of the 90?
That's how much longer women in the UK need to achieve pay parity.
In Belgium it's just 1 extra minute
How would you feel if the officials added an additional 14 minutes of injury time at the end of the 90?
That's how much longer women in the UK need to achieve pay parity.
In Belgium it's just 1 extra minute
Who do you picture working in the high-growth, high-tech sectors of rhe Industrial Strategy?
These sectors are older than average and all have a higher rates of early retirement.
We estimate this costs economy £31bn - we need to plan for this
www.standardlife.co.uk/centre-for-t...
These sectors are older than average and all have a higher rates of early retirement.
We estimate this costs economy £31bn - we need to plan for this
www.standardlife.co.uk/centre-for-t...
June 20, 2025 at 3:27 PM
Who do you picture working in the high-growth, high-tech sectors of rhe Industrial Strategy?
These sectors are older than average and all have a higher rates of early retirement.
We estimate this costs economy £31bn - we need to plan for this
www.standardlife.co.uk/centre-for-t...
These sectors are older than average and all have a higher rates of early retirement.
We estimate this costs economy £31bn - we need to plan for this
www.standardlife.co.uk/centre-for-t...
2 year old who loves nothing more than stickers and rainbows devastated when I come home from work wearing a rainbow sticker that wasn't for her...
June 19, 2025 at 9:52 PM
2 year old who loves nothing more than stickers and rainbows devastated when I come home from work wearing a rainbow sticker that wasn't for her...
Policy thinking on a topic like the State Pension helped by clear A/B choices even if cost neutral
Raising the AGE hits lower earners (most rely on it /feel effect of longer wait)
Limiting it's VALUE hit higher earners more (live longer and get more over lifetime)
academic.oup.com/oxrep/articl...
Raising the AGE hits lower earners (most rely on it /feel effect of longer wait)
Limiting it's VALUE hit higher earners more (live longer and get more over lifetime)
academic.oup.com/oxrep/articl...
June 11, 2025 at 8:11 PM
Policy thinking on a topic like the State Pension helped by clear A/B choices even if cost neutral
Raising the AGE hits lower earners (most rely on it /feel effect of longer wait)
Limiting it's VALUE hit higher earners more (live longer and get more over lifetime)
academic.oup.com/oxrep/articl...
Raising the AGE hits lower earners (most rely on it /feel effect of longer wait)
Limiting it's VALUE hit higher earners more (live longer and get more over lifetime)
academic.oup.com/oxrep/articl...
In terms of retirement savings we have a definite group who missed out on DB pensions, and a big chunk of auto enrolment. What's worrying is the number who still think that their retirement will 'turn out ok' because their parent's did
Really interesting and I think very insightful thread on Mumsnet about just how entirely different the intergenerational financial experience has been:
June 9, 2025 at 4:38 PM
In terms of retirement savings we have a definite group who missed out on DB pensions, and a big chunk of auto enrolment. What's worrying is the number who still think that their retirement will 'turn out ok' because their parent's did
Reposted by Patrick Thomson
According to Demos, across all local authorities, adult and children’s social care combined accounts for 67% of spending demos.co.uk/blogs/public...
Public Service Trusts: a solution to the crisis in local government finances?
Demos is Britain’s leading cross-party think-tank. We produce original research, publish innovative thinkers and host thought-provoking events.
demos.co.uk
June 2, 2025 at 10:28 AM
According to Demos, across all local authorities, adult and children’s social care combined accounts for 67% of spending demos.co.uk/blogs/public...
Surprising fact to me:
Environmental Taxes in the UK are lower now as % of GDP as any point in the last 25 years
Average household paid less in 2022 than they did in 1999. Not inflation adjusted - in actual £ terms
Taxes raise money but they also shape behaviour
www.ons.gov.uk/economy/envi...
Environmental Taxes in the UK are lower now as % of GDP as any point in the last 25 years
Average household paid less in 2022 than they did in 1999. Not inflation adjusted - in actual £ terms
Taxes raise money but they also shape behaviour
www.ons.gov.uk/economy/envi...
May 6, 2025 at 9:06 PM
Surprising fact to me:
Environmental Taxes in the UK are lower now as % of GDP as any point in the last 25 years
Average household paid less in 2022 than they did in 1999. Not inflation adjusted - in actual £ terms
Taxes raise money but they also shape behaviour
www.ons.gov.uk/economy/envi...
Environmental Taxes in the UK are lower now as % of GDP as any point in the last 25 years
Average household paid less in 2022 than they did in 1999. Not inflation adjusted - in actual £ terms
Taxes raise money but they also shape behaviour
www.ons.gov.uk/economy/envi...
This is an excellent Lords Select Committee session - nominally on the economics of ageing - but opens up all the big topics: ageism, productivity, career change, fertility, social care, and the 'nastiest, hardest problem in finance' @csfoot.bsky.social
parliamentlive.tv/event/index/...
parliamentlive.tv/event/index/...
April 29, 2025 at 3:41 PM
This is an excellent Lords Select Committee session - nominally on the economics of ageing - but opens up all the big topics: ageism, productivity, career change, fertility, social care, and the 'nastiest, hardest problem in finance' @csfoot.bsky.social
parliamentlive.tv/event/index/...
parliamentlive.tv/event/index/...
So pleased to have Andrew (one of the best brains in the Think Tank land) joining the team at Phoenix Insights.
We've got lots of exciting working in the pipeline and exciting to be tackling some of the big questions of the day www.thephoenixgroup.com/phoenix-insi...
We've got lots of exciting working in the pipeline and exciting to be tackling some of the big questions of the day www.thephoenixgroup.com/phoenix-insi...
March 25, 2025 at 3:43 PM
So pleased to have Andrew (one of the best brains in the Think Tank land) joining the team at Phoenix Insights.
We've got lots of exciting working in the pipeline and exciting to be tackling some of the big questions of the day www.thephoenixgroup.com/phoenix-insi...
We've got lots of exciting working in the pipeline and exciting to be tackling some of the big questions of the day www.thephoenixgroup.com/phoenix-insi...
New research out today looking at the potential economic benefit of better adult careers guidance.
£70bn mismatching between people's skills and their roles
4.5m people who either want to move jobs, are unhappy at work or at risk of automation
www.thephoenixgroup.com/phoenix-insi...
£70bn mismatching between people's skills and their roles
4.5m people who either want to move jobs, are unhappy at work or at risk of automation
www.thephoenixgroup.com/phoenix-insi...
Work in Progress: Unlocking the value of adult careers guidance
The careers landscape is changing
www.thephoenixgroup.com
February 27, 2025 at 11:25 AM
New research out today looking at the potential economic benefit of better adult careers guidance.
£70bn mismatching between people's skills and their roles
4.5m people who either want to move jobs, are unhappy at work or at risk of automation
www.thephoenixgroup.com/phoenix-insi...
£70bn mismatching between people's skills and their roles
4.5m people who either want to move jobs, are unhappy at work or at risk of automation
www.thephoenixgroup.com/phoenix-insi...
My animals?
Super furry
Super furry
My chip?
Hot
Hot
My Magic Orchestra? Yellow
February 26, 2025 at 7:11 PM
My animals?
Super furry
Super furry
For anyone interested in careers advice, skills, and productivity. We have exciting new research out with Public First on Thursday with an event on 5th March
Modeling the potential benefit of better skills matching through the lens of the new National Jobs and Careers Service
Watch this space...
Modeling the potential benefit of better skills matching through the lens of the new National Jobs and Careers Service
Watch this space...
February 25, 2025 at 4:45 PM
For anyone interested in careers advice, skills, and productivity. We have exciting new research out with Public First on Thursday with an event on 5th March
Modeling the potential benefit of better skills matching through the lens of the new National Jobs and Careers Service
Watch this space...
Modeling the potential benefit of better skills matching through the lens of the new National Jobs and Careers Service
Watch this space...
'Endangered Frog Dad' making all us regular old dads look useless as per usual
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Endangered frog dads 'give birth' after 7,000-mile trip
Male frogs carrying tadpoles made an incredible journey to the UK by boat, plane, and car.
www.bbc.com
February 3, 2025 at 11:56 AM
'Endangered Frog Dad' making all us regular old dads look useless as per usual
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Interesting article on changing pension landscape
Wealthier /well pensioned people may end up shifting behaviour for tax reasons
But as our Phoenix Insights research shows - for more than half of people retiring between now and 2060 that's academic if they've undersaved
on.ft.com/4hCi1zJ
Wealthier /well pensioned people may end up shifting behaviour for tax reasons
But as our Phoenix Insights research shows - for more than half of people retiring between now and 2060 that's academic if they've undersaved
on.ft.com/4hCi1zJ
February 2, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Interesting article on changing pension landscape
Wealthier /well pensioned people may end up shifting behaviour for tax reasons
But as our Phoenix Insights research shows - for more than half of people retiring between now and 2060 that's academic if they've undersaved
on.ft.com/4hCi1zJ
Wealthier /well pensioned people may end up shifting behaviour for tax reasons
But as our Phoenix Insights research shows - for more than half of people retiring between now and 2060 that's academic if they've undersaved
on.ft.com/4hCi1zJ
(Newspaper Headlines):
Zombie Apocalypse Set To Reduce YOUR Mortgage Rates
Zombie Apocalypse Set To Reduce YOUR Mortgage Rates
January 9, 2025 at 11:43 AM
(Newspaper Headlines):
Zombie Apocalypse Set To Reduce YOUR Mortgage Rates
Zombie Apocalypse Set To Reduce YOUR Mortgage Rates
Think Tank job - Phoenix Insights are hiring a policy and research manager
Really exciting and interesting work across a range of big policy areas, making the most of longer lives
Deadline is 10th Jan
fa-enor-saasfaprod1.fa.ocs.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/Candid...
Really exciting and interesting work across a range of big policy areas, making the most of longer lives
Deadline is 10th Jan
fa-enor-saasfaprod1.fa.ocs.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/Candid...
Policy and Research Manager
We have an incredible opportunity to join us here at Phoenix Group as a Policy and Research Manager with the Phoenix Insights team, our in house think tank team.
fa-enor-saasfaprod1.fa.ocs.oraclecloud.com
January 3, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Think Tank job - Phoenix Insights are hiring a policy and research manager
Really exciting and interesting work across a range of big policy areas, making the most of longer lives
Deadline is 10th Jan
fa-enor-saasfaprod1.fa.ocs.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/Candid...
Really exciting and interesting work across a range of big policy areas, making the most of longer lives
Deadline is 10th Jan
fa-enor-saasfaprod1.fa.ocs.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/Candid...
Reposted by Patrick Thomson
Been a good lesson in empirical process for our 6 & 8 y olds. Clearly know the whole thing is INSANE but no benefit in not believing. Questions on physics of sleigh travel/toy production.
+ an obvious one that caught me out:
How do we know what father christmas looks like if no one's seen him?
+ an obvious one that caught me out:
How do we know what father christmas looks like if no one's seen him?
Love this story: vicar tells primary school pupils that Father Christmas isn’t real, their parents give them the presents in engagingly ill-judged sermon at school.
Vicar’s Santa sermon ‘ruins Christmas’ for sobbing school pupils
The Rev Dr Paul Chamberlain has had to apologise for his Nativity talk that left teachers scrambling to ‘bring the magic back’
www.thetimes.com
December 14, 2024 at 7:04 PM
Been a good lesson in empirical process for our 6 & 8 y olds. Clearly know the whole thing is INSANE but no benefit in not believing. Questions on physics of sleigh travel/toy production.
+ an obvious one that caught me out:
How do we know what father christmas looks like if no one's seen him?
+ an obvious one that caught me out:
How do we know what father christmas looks like if no one's seen him?
Excellent piece from @sarahoconnorft.bsky.social Why the public doesn’t buy the idea of a ‘green jobs’ bonanza - on.ft.com/415lCB7
The Northvolt example is v good. We ran focus groups with mid career workers - career change already seen as risky, to green jobs more. Perceived security matters
The Northvolt example is v good. We ran focus groups with mid career workers - career change already seen as risky, to green jobs more. Perceived security matters
Why the public doesn’t buy the idea of a ‘green jobs’ bonanza
People understand that transitions are hard — politicians need to as well
on.ft.com
November 26, 2024 at 7:32 AM
Excellent piece from @sarahoconnorft.bsky.social Why the public doesn’t buy the idea of a ‘green jobs’ bonanza - on.ft.com/415lCB7
The Northvolt example is v good. We ran focus groups with mid career workers - career change already seen as risky, to green jobs more. Perceived security matters
The Northvolt example is v good. We ran focus groups with mid career workers - career change already seen as risky, to green jobs more. Perceived security matters
Today is Carers Rights Day
Only a quarter of people think they will be a carer before they reach state pension age.
In reality half of people become an unpaid carer by the age of 50
Only a quarter of people think they will be a carer before they reach state pension age.
In reality half of people become an unpaid carer by the age of 50
November 21, 2024 at 10:38 AM
Today is Carers Rights Day
Only a quarter of people think they will be a carer before they reach state pension age.
In reality half of people become an unpaid carer by the age of 50
Only a quarter of people think they will be a carer before they reach state pension age.
In reality half of people become an unpaid carer by the age of 50
Fascinating new stats looking at how working interacts with age and how that's changed post pandemic.
Previously mostly linked to age with oldest workers working from home. But now those in their mid careers most want to (or most able to?) work from home
www.thephoenixgroup.com/phoenix-insi...
Previously mostly linked to age with oldest workers working from home. But now those in their mid careers most want to (or most able to?) work from home
www.thephoenixgroup.com/phoenix-insi...
November 20, 2024 at 12:25 PM
Fascinating new stats looking at how working interacts with age and how that's changed post pandemic.
Previously mostly linked to age with oldest workers working from home. But now those in their mid careers most want to (or most able to?) work from home
www.thephoenixgroup.com/phoenix-insi...
Previously mostly linked to age with oldest workers working from home. But now those in their mid careers most want to (or most able to?) work from home
www.thephoenixgroup.com/phoenix-insi...
It's #equalpayday
The average woman in the UK never earns more than £20 an hour at any age.
Average man earns more than £20 /hr each year from their mid 30s to 60.
It impacts day to day and over a lifetime
www.thephoenixgroup.com/phoenix-insi...
The average woman in the UK never earns more than £20 an hour at any age.
Average man earns more than £20 /hr each year from their mid 30s to 60.
It impacts day to day and over a lifetime
www.thephoenixgroup.com/phoenix-insi...
November 20, 2024 at 12:06 PM
It's #equalpayday
The average woman in the UK never earns more than £20 an hour at any age.
Average man earns more than £20 /hr each year from their mid 30s to 60.
It impacts day to day and over a lifetime
www.thephoenixgroup.com/phoenix-insi...
The average woman in the UK never earns more than £20 an hour at any age.
Average man earns more than £20 /hr each year from their mid 30s to 60.
It impacts day to day and over a lifetime
www.thephoenixgroup.com/phoenix-insi...