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

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/

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.