Pensioner parents on rise

GROWING numbers are starting families later in life, changing the shape of parenting and personal finance.

- By Harvey Jones

The number of births in England and Wales rose 0.6% in 2024, the first rise since 2021. But while birth rates fell among under-30s, they rose for parents aged 30 and over, while for dads aged 60-plus births jumped by a staggering 14.2%.

This shift reflects a long-term trend, says Sarah Coles, head of personal finance at Hargreaves Lansdown. “Dads are now collecting pensions at the same time they’re collecting their kids from school. It’s part of a bigger move towards delaying parenthood. Whether due to housing pressures, career focus, or families after divorce.”

However, later life births can throw planning upside down and can make saving for retirement harder. “It reflects rising costs and the fact that people are settling down later,” Coles said.