Independent Age has published the Older People’s Economic Wellbeing Index: Scotland 2026, alongside a short accompanying animation highlighting its key findings.
This is the second edition of the Index, based on nationally representative polling, offering insight into the financial wellbeing and lived experiences of people in Scotland who are of State Pension age and over.
The findings highlight the significant income, cost and housing pressures faced by many older people across Scotland:
- One in five (20%) older people have a household income of under £15,000 a year
- Just one in four (24%) say the State Pension is enough to cover their basic living expenses
- Four in ten (41%) report cutting back on heating at least occasionally
- One third (33%) have taken money from savings to cover essential costs
The Index also shows that some groups are disproportionately impacted, including women, renters, unpaid carers, those living with health conditions, and people living in areas of deprivation. These groups are more likely to report lower incomes, difficulty meeting housing costs, and having to cut back on essentials.
Alongside financial pressures, the report highlights wider concerns among older people in Scotland, including feeling politically underrepresented, dissatisfaction with the social security system, and living in homes that are not suitable for their needs.
The 2026 Index provides important evidence to inform policy and practice, and contributes to ongoing conversations about how to better support older people to live well, securely and with dignity.
