Scottish Widows Workplace Savings Podcast

Scottish Widows Workplace Savings Podcast

By Scottish WidowsBusiness
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Scottish Widows Workplace Savings Podcast episodes

  • 2026 Retirement Report – Part 3: Tech & AI in retirement decision making

    Technology is changing how people engage with their finances, and retirement planning is no exception.


    The latest Scottish Widows Retirement Report 2026: Part 3 explores how technology, from pension dashboards and open finance to AI-powered support, could help people better understand their pensions and make more informed retirement decisions. The research found growing openness to AI, with around one in three people saying they would trust AI tools to help with pension decision-making and 42% comfortable using AI to explain pension jargon.

    In this episode, Robert Cochran is joined by Derek Shanks, Technology Director, and Leslee Ross, Business Platform Lead, to discuss the findings and explore how AI could help tackle some of the key challenges facing consumers today.

    From improving financial education and confidence to narrowing the advice gap and lowering barriers to engagement, the conversation looks at how technology could support people throughout their retirement journey. Scottish Widows are the first workplace pensions provider to put conversational AI into savers' hands through Invest AI, and the only provider participating in the FCA's Anthropic Supercharged Sandbox, so Derek and Leslee take listeners behind the scenes to discuss the early learnings, how AI tools are tested, governed and trained, why trust remains central to successful adoption, and what the growing use of AI by consumers and advisers could mean for the future of financial services.
    The discussion also explores the wider implications of the Mills Review and where AI-powered financial support could go next.

    Read the report: Scottish Widows Retirement Report 2026: Part 3

    58 min
  • 2026 Retirement Report – Part 2: Retirement Income Decisions

    Retirement is entering a period of significant change. As government, regulators and providers grapple with the challenge of turning pension pots into sustainable retirement income, important questions are being asked about support, engagement and what the future "default retirement" could look like.


    In this episode, Robert Cochran is joined by Pete Glancy, Head of Pensions Policy at Scottish Widows, to discuss the findings from Part Two of the Scottish Widows Retirement Report 2026.

    The report found that around 40% of pre-retirees have little or no knowledge of the options available to them at retirement, despite the importance of the decisions they face. Together, Robert and Pete explore the gap between retirement expectations and reality, why many people engage with support too late, and the growing complexity of retirement income decisions. They also discuss the policy reforms, guidance frameworks and innovations that could help people navigate retirement with greater confidence and achieve better outcomes.

    Read the report: https://expertise.scottishwidows.co.uk/retirement-report/retirement-income-decisions-and-support/retirement-income-decisions-and-support/

    29 min
  • The Gender Pension Gap: Going Beyond the Research

    In this special episode, Business Development Director, Susan Hope brings together industry experts, Kelly Parsons, Tracey Gloyne and James Biggs for an honest and wide-ranging conversation on women and retirement.

    Drawing on insights from two decades of Scottish Widows research, the discussion examines how factors throughout life can shape retirement outcomes, from entering the workplace and saving habits to career breaks, family responsibilities and long-term financial planning.
    The panel also explores the role of employers, advisers and policymakers, the importance of measuring and understanding the gap, and how greater awareness, communication and allyship can help move the conversation forward.
    Bringing together a wealth of experience, expertise and perspectives, this episode goes beyond the research to discuss where we are today, what we've learnt, and what more can be done to support better retirement outcomes for women.

    42 min
  • Creating a movement for better pension outcomes

    In this episode, retirement industry legend, Alan Morahan, joins Robert Cochran to discuss the opportunities and challenges shaping the future of workplace pensions.


    Drawing on more than 30 years of experience across advisory roles, trustee boards and industry bodies, Alan explores why employer engagement is often the gateway to member engagement, the impact auto enrolment has had on workplace saving, and what the future may hold for the policy. They also discuss governance, value for money and the industry's growing focus on delivering better member outcomes.

    Alan shares insights from National Pension Tracing Day, the initiative he helped establish to reconnect savers with billions of pounds held in lost pension pots, and reflects on the importance of creating a movement around pensions. The conversation also explores the power of caring, building long-term client relationships, and the key industry changes that have transformed workplace pensions over the past three decades.

    Listen now for expert insights on auto enrolment, pension engagement, governance and the future of workplace pensions.

    1 hr 1 min
  • Solving the Lost Pensions Challenge

    Pension tracing is evolving - with new technology, better data and industry collaboration creating real opportunities to improve outcomes.


    In this episode, Robert Cochran is joined by industry experts, Workplace Proposition Leads Richard Brown and Eleanor Hassall-Marlow, for a pension transfer special. Together, they explore how processes are improving, the role of dashboards, and the growing importance of small pots, pension tracing and lessons learned from open banking.

    An insightful discussion on what’s changing - and what a better future could look like.

    38 min
  • Can games make us care more about our pensions?

    What if your pension felt more like a game: simple, engaging, even motivating? And right there on your phone. Would you be more likely to get involved?

    Scottish Widows’ pension gamified journeys have now been accessed over 1 million times, showing the growing appetite for more engaging, interactive ways to connect with pensions.
    In this episode, Robert Cochran is joined by Maighread Simpson, Rose Ulldemolins and Amy Rodger from the Lloyds gamification team to explore just that — the team behind creating, building and deploying all aspects of these games and gamified experiences.
    From ideas like Pensions Powerlift to the Pension Mirror, they discuss how gamification can make pensions easier to understand, encourage better saving habits, and inspire more people — especially younger savers — to get involved.
    For them, game-inspired thinking is helping bring pensions to life. It’s all about making pensions feel more intuitive, more engaging, and ultimately helping people take confident steps towards their financial future.
    You can play our Power Up games here: https://www.powerup.scottishwidows.co.uk/

    49 min
  • 2026 Scottish Widows Retirement Report – Part 1

    In this episode, Pete Glancy, Head of Pensions Policy, joins Robert Cochran to unpack Part 1 of the Scottish Widows 22nd UK Retirement Report, revealing that 31% of UK adults (12.2 million) are on track for pension poverty - down from 39% in 2025. Drawing on the National Retirement Forecast, they explore what’s behind this improvement and just how fragile it is, cost of living pressures, and the steps we could take to reduce this further to just 13%.*

    Listen now to understand the future of UK pensions, retirement planning, auto‑enrolment, and financial wellbeing and what it means for individuals, employers and policymakers across the UK.
    *2026 Scottish Widows' Retirement Report

    27 min
  • Investment Expert and Accidental Trustee

    In this episode, we explore a period of major change in workplace pension investing — from evolving default funds and increasing private market exposure, to Value for Money reforms and new retirement investment solutions.


    Robert Cochran and Sharon Bellingham are joined by Gerald Wellesley, Investment Chair of the Scottish Widows Master Trust. With over 35 years of investment experience and two decades as a scheme Trustee, Gerald shares a thoughtful and experienced perspective on navigating today’s volatile investment environment.

    The conversation covers private markets, the role of a strong liquidity ladder, and a compelling real‑world example of going against the consensus to achieve outperformance during market disruption. Gerald also discusses the potential implications of proposed Value for Money changes and how they could affect investment flexibility in the future.

    A must‑listen for anyone involved in workplace savings, pension scheme governance, or long‑term investment strategy.

    40 min
  • Trustee superpower - Operations Management Activated

    What’s it like to step into a Master Trust Trustee role? Joanne Fairburn has the answers.  She joins Robert Cochran and Sharon Bellingham to share fresh insights from her extensive pensions career and her experience as a Trustee of the Scottish Widows Master Trust.


    Joanne talks us through what it really means to be a Trustee, the major challenges and opportunities ahead for DC schemes, and how she sees the pensions landscape evolving. We also dive into the big themes shaping the future for members and schemes alike.

    49 min
  • A record-breaking pension minister shares his highs and lows

    Guy Opperman on Pensions Dashboards, CDC, Auto-Enrolment & the Future of UK Retirement Saving

    Description:

    In this episode of the Scottish Widows podcast, former UK Pensions Minister Guy Opperman joins host Robert Cochran to reflect on his time in office and the future of the UK pensions system.

    Opperman discusses the delivery of the Pension Schemes Act, progress on pensions dashboards, and the introduction of Collective Defined Contribution (CDC) schemes. He shares insights into the challenges of implementing long-term pensions policy, working with the Treasury, and balancing adequacy, sustainability, and value for money in retirement saving.

    The conversation also explores:

    • The evolution and impact of auto-enrolment in the UK
    • The future of pensions adequacy and contribution levels
    • How CDC schemes could reshape retirement income
    • The role of pensions dashboards in improving engagement
    • Lessons from government and what still needs to change
    • The UK pensions system in a global context looking towards 2030

      • Opperman also reflects candidly on the highs and lows of being the longest-serving Pensions Minister, including political challenges, reforms delivered, and what comes next for pensions policy.

      This episode is essential listening for anyone interested in UK pensions policy, retirement planning, pension reform, and the future of workplace saving.

      42 min

    About Scottish Widows Workplace Savings Podcast

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    Scottish Widows Workplace Savings - entertaining data driven and sometimes offbeat stories about what’s going on in workplace savings. Ideal for people involved in or interested in pensions.