SEB survey: Most people in Estonia not relying on state pension

TALLINN - A recent SEB survey shows that only a third of people in Estonia believe they will be able to manage on a state pension when they retire.

Altogether 67 percent of respondents are convinced that state support does not even cover essential expenses, such as daily food, housing costs, or medicine.

Despite the fact that over half of the people of Estonia consider monthly savings important, 57 percent of respondents admit that they have never calculated how much their pension could actually be in the future. One in ten respondents says that they do not plan to save any extra money for retirement at all.

"For them, a sudden decrease in income upon retirement may come as an unexpected and unpleasant surprise," Gert Vilms, head of SEB Varahaldus, said.

According to Vilms, the survey clearly highlights the need to save for the future, but a lack of knowledge or free money prevents real steps or actions.

"Every year lost means less security in the future. Saving for retirement should be started as early as possible -- you can start with small amounts to create a regular saving habit," he said.

The SEB representative added that the most active pension supplement collectors are those aged 30-49.

​​The SEB savings, investments and pensions survey was conducted in April 2025 by pollster Norstat. Altogether 1,000 residents of Estonia aged 18-65 participated in the survey.