Trust and confidence in pensions: A literature review

This working paper presents the findings of a literature review, originally commissioned by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) in spring 2009, to look at existing research and analysis on trust and confidence, with special reference to pensions. Its main aim was to provide a greater understanding of the concepts of trust and confidence generally, but especially in relation to pensions. In so doing, the review aimed to cover the relationship between trust and confidence and individuals’ attitudes and behaviour around pensions and retirement planning, and issues around measuring trust and confidence in pensions.The review aimed to explore in depth the prevalence and nature of trust and confidence, including exploring issues such as:• definitions and categories of trust and confidence;• what engenders and influences trust and confidence;• the nature of the relationship between trust, and attitudes and behaviour towards pensions.The review also aimed to explore existing measures of trust and confidence in pensions and to highlight issues that might potentially have some bearing on policies over pensions information and communications, and future research and analysis in this field.