Over two fifths of UK adults have not written a will

• Research from Canada Life reveals the UK cities with the highest proportion of adults who do not have a will in place
• Adults in Leeds are least prepared with 57% not having written a will, whereas in Brighton just 36% of people do not have a will in place
• Less than half (49%) of UK adults have discussed their end-of-life wishes with their loved ones

Canada Life today reveals the cities across the UK with the highest proportion of adults without a will in place.¹ Leeds (57%), Sheffield (56%), and Nottingham (51%) top the list, with the majority of adults in these areas either not having written a will or in the process of doing so.

People in Brighton (36%), Cardiff (38%), London (39%) and Newcastle (39%) are the most prepared when it comes to making a will, however a significant number still have nothing in place. A full regional breakdown can be found below.

This research forms part of Canada Life’s Life100+ programme,² which highlights a surprising lack of discussions around inheritance planning in the UK. Less than half (49%) of the population have discussed their end-of-life wishes with their loved ones.³

Across the UK, more than two fifths (44%) have not written a will, nor are they currently in the process of doing so. When asked why they do not have a will in place, over a quarter (26%) said they do not have enough assets or wealth to warrant making a will, closely followed by 20% who believe they still have plenty of time to make one. Additionally, the research found that 15% do not want to pay to write a will, while 14% believe their loved ones will inherit their assets automatically.

Stacey Love, tax and estate planning specialist at Canada Life, comments: “Passing away without a will in place can place a significant burden on our loved ones. However, our research highlights that, up and down the country, people are not planning ahead or having conversations about the future.

“No matter your age, writing a will should be a priority, even if you don’t think you have any real wealth to pass on. It’s also very important to have open, honest conversations with your loved ones about your inheritance plans, so they know what to expect.

“Once your will is written, remember to review it every few years to make sure it remains accurate. Family circumstances can change over time, and so your will needs to reflect this.

“Ultimately, estate planning is about preparation. While this may feel daunting, having conversations about inheritance and putting a will in place will take a huge burden off your loved ones’ shoulders. A professional financial or legal adviser will be able to support you through the process, offering independent advice and guidance when making or revising a will, as well as ensuring your estate is in good order for the next generation.”

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Notes to editors

1. This research was conducted by Opinium among 2000 UK adults between 1-4 October 2024.
2. More information about Canada Life’s Life100+ programme can be found at https://www.canadalife.co.uk/life100-hub/
3. The findings (commissioned by Canada Life and conducted by The Big Window) are based on online interviews with a representative sample of 3,400 UK adults aged 18 and over. Quotas were applied by age and gender and the data was weighted at the analysis stage to be representative of the UK adult population. Following the online survey, an all-day intergenerational forum comprising of twenty respondents, with eight in-depth interviews conducted. Respondents represented people from different life stages, backgrounds and generations. All fieldwork was conducted during May, June and July 2024. Additional information is available on request.

Enquiries:

Press enquiries should be directed to:

Elle McAtamney, Canada Life, 07913 568213, elle.mcatamney@canadalife.co.uk

About Canada Life:

Canada Life is part of a group of companies controlled by Great-West Lifeco Inc., a Canadian headquartered, international financial services holding company with interests in life insurance, health insurance, retirement and investment services, asset management and reinsurance businesses. Through its subsidiary companies, Great-West Lifeco operates in Canada, the United States, and Europe. Great-West Lifeco trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol GWO and is a member of the Power Corporation group of companies.

Canada Life Limited began operations in the United Kingdom (UK) in 1903 and provides UK individuals and businesses with a range of retirement, investment, insurance and wealth solutions. Canada Life offers individual annuities, pension de-risking solutions, home finance, estate planning and investment options, and workplace protection products.

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