Standard Life Reveals Brits Think They Cannot Live on GBP140 a Week

LONDON, May 20, 2011 - Standard Life's new research* has revealed that almost two out of three
people (63%) think they could not live on GBP140 a week in retirement, rising
to 72% for the 55 and over's. Only 17% of the 55 and over's think they could
live on GBP140 a week. The Government has recently proposed a single-tier
flat-rate state pension worth around GBP140 a week, and are currently
consulting on how this might be introduced in 2015 at the earliest.

John Lawson, head of pensions policy at Standard Life (
www.standardlife.co.uk/1/site/uk/home) said: "The introduction of
state pensions (www.standardlife.co.uk/1/site/uk/pensions) of GBP140 a
week for all is to be welcomed. This makes it clear and easy for people to
understand what they will receive from the government as a pension. However,
people clearly recognise that GBP140 a week will not likely be enough to live
on in retirement."

The research also found there were significant differences of opinion
between age groups, with the young more likely to think GBP140 a week was OK,
while those in the older age ranges having had a reality check at the cost of
living.

John Lawson concluded with tips for improving overall financial health:
"Set up a savings plan to put money away for your future needs. Pensions
are enough to meet the savings needs of 99% of the population. If you are
saving for a retirement income, a pension is the most tax efficient home for
your money.

"Investing in cash, whilst generally safe, often means that your savings
don't even keep pace with inflation, so don't be afraid to take some risk,
particularly if you are investing for the longer-term. Savings providers now
offer personalised investment portfolios, such as Standard Life's MyFolio,
that match the level of risk you are comfortable with."

The Standard Life MyFolio** funds are a family of funds carefully
constructed to achieve growth whilst minimising risk.

Notes to editors:

*All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample
size was 2,057 adults in the UK. Fieldwork was undertaken between 23rd and
25th March 2011. The survey was carried out online.

**MyFolio can be accessed via both a Stocks and Shares ISA and the Active
Money Personal Pension. MyFolio is a family of carefully constructed
risk-based portfolios, managed by Standard Life Investments. A committee
oversees the fund research process and includes independent experts from
outside the Standard Life group.

About Standard Life:

Standard Life is a leading long term savings and investments company
headquartered in Edinburgh and operating internationally. Established in
1825, Standard Life provides ISAs, (
www.standardlife.co.uk/1/site/uk/pensions) life assurance, annuities,
investment funds, investment bonds, (
www.standardlife.co.uk/1/site/uk/investing/products/tailored-investmen
t-bond) tax efficiencies, pensions including self-invested personal pensions
(SIPP) company pensions, stakeholder pensions and employer pensions, and
investment management to over 6.5 million customers worldwide.

    PR Contact:

    Paul Keeble
    Senior Media Affairs Manager
    Standard Life plc
    Level 34
    30 St Mary Axe
    London
    EC3A 8EP
    44(0)20-7872-4481
    www.standardlife.com

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