Failure to save up a pension pot is the biggest financial regret for over a quarter of over 65-year-olds, a new survey has suggested.

And almost one in five (19%) of over 75-year-olds stated they also wished they’d started saving sooner.

Despite many having generous ‘gold plated’ final salary pension schemes in place, 26% of those aged 65-74 polled by The Share Centre said they wished they had started putting money aside while they still could.

The Share Centre researchers spoke to over 1,500 people aged from 19 to 87 – and the findings also revealed that even those who have managed to accumulate savings haven’t quite met their intended targets.

The survey revealed that 21% of over 65s, and 22% of over 75s, admitted that they wished they had put larger amounts aside.

Spotting good investment opportunities early on was also on the list of ‘financial regrets’, with 7% of over 65s, and and 11% of those aged 55-64, wishing they had invested in certain stocks when they were younger.

Richard Stone, chief executive of The Share Centre, said: “If those already at or in retirement are admitting they haven’t saved enough money and are now looking back with regret, then those with retirement ahead of them need to take note.”