• 52% of 18–34-year old workers would welcome an employer scheme that automatically saves from their pay
• 78% of 18–34s say they could save more each month
• 28% of 18–34s have less than £1,000 in savings

Young working adults are facing a savings challenge, with more than one in three (35%) unable to meet an unexpected £300 expense, yet most of respondents that age (78%) say they could save more each month if they wanted or needed to.

The findings come from new research by the Building Societies Association (BSA) for UK Savings Week. It reveals the financial pressure facing young working adults and suggests that relatively small, manageable changes could help them build greater financial resilience. 
 

Money worries are affecting working lives

The financial pressure is also spilling into working lives. Almost one in three (32%) working 18–34-year-olds say money worries have adversely affected their performance at work, while more than a quarter (27%) say they have had to take time off work because worrying about money has made them ill.

But young workers are open to simple ways of building a savings habit. More than half (52%) say they would be interested if their employer offered a scheme that automatically saved some of their pay into an instant-access savings account. 
 

Young adults face a savings shortfall

More than one in four (28%) people aged 18–34 have less than £1,000 in cash savings, while 39% of workers in that age range say that if they lost their income, they wouldn’t have enough savings to live off for more than a month. 

Research from the University of Bristol's Personal Finance Research Centre, commissioned by the BSA, shows why building a savings buffer matters: 

• Households with £2,000 in savings have around 60% lower odds of falling behind on household bills. 
• Those with just £200–£499 in savings are significantly less likely to face financial hardship (8% chance) than those with less than this amount (24%) 
• Those who save regularly, regardless of the amount, have more than 70% lower odds of falling financial difficulties than non-savers

These findings suggest that getting into the habit of putting a little aside regularly could be as important as the amount saved when it comes to improving financial resilience. 
 

Saving today for a better tomorrow

Savings are about more than simply having money set aside for an unexpected bill. More than half (56%) of 18-34s say they have been grateful to have savings that helped them take opportunities or do things they otherwise might not have been able to do.

There is also evidence that younger adults see savings as a foundation for building their financial future, with 60% of 18–34s saying they have, or would like to have, built up a sum of cash savings before investing in other assets.
 

Andrew Gall, Head of Savings, Consumer & Insight at the Building Societies Association, said:

“Saving can feel like just another thing to find money for when you’re juggling rent, bills and everything else that comes with working life. But what stands out from this research is that younger adults aren’t saying they don’t want to save, they are telling us they need help finding a way to make saving easier. 

“We should therefore be looking at how we can remove some of the friction, whether that's making saving automatic through the workplace, setting up a regular payment or simply helping people feel more confident to manage their finances. 

“We know that a savings buffer can make a real difference when life doesn't go to plan. But £2,000 doesn't have to be the starting goal. Building a savings habit, even with small amounts, can make a real difference over time.

“UK Savings Week is about helping people take that first step today, so they have more financial choices and greater peace of mind tomorrow.”

[ENDS]

About UK Savings Week

UK Savings Week takes place from 21–27 September 2026 and is a BSA-led campaign designed to get more people engaged with saving. 

The campaign has two long-term ambitions: to create two million new regular savers by 2030 and to move £50 billion from 0% accounts by 2030.

This year’s campaign is focused on young working adults, encouraging people to find a way of saving that fits their lives and to take a positive step towards greater financial resilience.

UK Savings Week encourages people to start where they can, whether that is £1, £10 or more, and to explore practical ways to make saving part of everyday life. 

About the research

Research conducted by Opinium on behalf of the Building Societies Association among 2,000 UK adults aged 18+, online between 19 and 22 May 2026. Results have been weighted to be nationally representative.

For questions referring to workers, the base is UK adults in full or part-time work only.

Press contacts

press.office@bsa.org.uk