THE majority of Scottish pensioners are not satisfied with the UK state pension and do not believe it is enough to cover basic expenses, according to new polling.
The survey of 1825 Scots aged 66 and over also found that just one in 20 (6%) was confident that the state pension would be enough to cover basic living expenses in the future.
The polling – conducted by The Diffley Partnership for the charity Independent Age’s second annual Older People’s Economic Wellbeing Index – found that while 99% of people take the state pension, 57% are not satisfied with the amount and 59% say it is not currently enough to cover the basic cost of living.
Less than one in four (24%) of Scottish pensioners said that the UK state pension was enough and that they were satisfied with it.
The full rate of new state pension is currently £241.30 a week, or around £12,500 per year.
Elsewhere, the older people’s wellbeing index found that one in five Scots aged 66 or over live on an annual income of £15,000 or less, and of this group more than 50% have skipped meals and 77% have cut back on heating.
It also found that 81% of older Scots said they do not feel represented (either “not very” or “not at all”) by the UK Government, while 62% say the same about the Scottish Government and 61% about their local council.
Independent Age, which focuses on improving the lives of people facing financial hardship in later life, said that the polling showed a need for the UK Government to ensure reserved social security payments are set at an adequate rate, as well as:
- A national Pensioner Poverty Strategy.
- A Warm Homes Programme for older people.
- A refresh of the Scottish Government’s Benefit Uptake Strategy.
- The creation of an Older People’s Commissioner for Scotland.
- A Scottish Government guarantee for older people to have an affordable home by improving access to, and increasing funding for, Discretionary Housing Payments.
Morgan Vine, the director of policy at Independent Age, said: “Action on pensioner poverty is at risk of stalling, with a generation of older people left trapped in poverty and making dangerous cutbacks as a result.
“Our latest Index shows that, in many areas, little progress has been made in the last year, including older people still feeling unrepresented by politicians, being weighed down by mounting costs, and not feeling their incomes and the financial support available is enough.
“With an ageing population it is vital that politicians across the political spectrum recognise the need for dedicated and sustained action to ensure older people living on a low income can live a decent and dignified life.
“This is a golden opportunity for the new Scottish Government to act now, to change the picture and create a much more positive reality for all of us as we age.”
The Diffley Partnership surveyed 1825 Scottish people aged 66 and over between Feberuary 24-27, 2026.
