Alpesh B Patel OBEManaging Partner (UK), RootBridge Capital · Asset Management. Great Investments Programme. 18 Books, Bloomberg TV alum & FT Columnist, BBC Paper Reviewer; Fmr Visiting Fellow, Oxford Uni. Multi-TEDx. UK Govt Dealmaker. alpeshpatel.com/links Pro

The Pension Gap That's Destroying Retirements #investmentstrategy

4 Jul 2026 · 2 min

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1:37

In this concise monologue, hedge‑fund manager and author Alpesh B. Patel OBE warns that relying on the UK state pension system is increasingly risky. He cites statistics showing the average retirement pension pot is about £37,000, far below the roughly £250,000 needed for a comfortable retirement outside London. He outlines a series of policy shifts that erode pension value: the state retirement age is being raised, pension withdrawals are becoming more taxable, the tax‑free withdrawal allowance is shrinking, annual contribution limits are falling, and lifetime tax‑free storage caps are decreasing. Patel urges viewers to take personal responsibility for their retirement savings, directing them to free tools, educational resources, and a call‑for‑consultation to diagnose under‑performing pensions. He frames this as part of a broader campaign to teach a million people to invest better and to lobby Parliament for change.

Chapters

If you're relying on the state represented by Parliament there to look after you in your retirement, let me tell you a few problems you're going to have. The average pension pot at retirement in the UK is about £37,000. Statisticians say you need closer to £250,000 to have a comfortable retirement, and that's if you're not even in London. Here's another problem: the state retirement age at which you can withdraw your pension has been gradually rising. The taxability of pensions has been gradually increasing. The amount you can withdraw tax-free has been gradually increasing. The amount you can put into a pension each year has been gradually decreasing. The amount you can store tax-free inside a pension across your lifetime has been gradually decreasing. You can see which way this story is going. You need to get on your bike like that guy and start taking action. Might I suggest, from a hedge fund manager, a person who's written 18 books on investing, 200 columns in the Financial Times, you look at the links around this video, the free resources we have, maybe get in touch with us to see how we can educate you over a call on why your pension is underperforming and you're unhappy with the growth rates. If nothing else, have a look at all our free tools and resources as well. I wish you well. It's part of my campaign to teach a million people how to invest better across their lifetimes and add an extra million to their pension investment pot across that lifetime. And it's a campaign I'm taking to Parliament. Thank you.