UK Pension Management

UX DESIGN

UX DESIGN

UX DESIGN

RESEARCH

RESEARCH

RESEARCH

Overview

The Pension Management app is a financial product designed to help UK residents confidently navigate the complexities of retirement planning. Our goal is to clarify UK pension policies and provide tailored solutions that address users' key challenges, enabling them to make well-informed financial decisions for their future.

By prioritizing financial literacy and real user concerns, Pension Management redefines pension planning—empowering individuals to take control of their financial future and achieve a secure, comfortable retirement.


Objective

  • Understand complex UK pension policies to help users understand their options and make informed retirement decisions.

  • Develop an intuitive, regulatory-compliant financial product architecture that delivers clear pension projections, personalized retirement guidance, and a seamless, efficient way for users to manage their pensions.


Challenge

  • Analyzing the complexity of UK pension regulations and identifying key user pain points from diverse perspectives.

  • Designing and conducting user testing for financial products while ensuring privacy protection and effective inquiry methods.

We know the UK pension system is complex, but just how complicated is it? What are residents truly concerned about? To gain a comprehensive understanding of current pension policies and management challenges, we have structured our research into three key areas for deeper insights.



01 UK Pension Policy

We analyzed UK government data and literature to understand local pension policies, types, and calculation methods. Based on this research, we mapped out a high-level framework to explore potential real-world scenarios.

Beyond government sources, we examined articles and studies on financial literacy, retirement planning, and the impact of demographic changes on future pensions. This helped us identify key differences in attitudes toward retirement planning and financial literacy across various demographic groups.


02 Competitor Analysis

We conducted a competitive analysis of several widely used pension apps, including PensionBee, Penny, Royal London, and Scottish Widows. Our research identified four key categories of features these apps offer:

  • Real-time Balance Viewing & Management – Users can monitor and manage their pension funds in real time.

  • Pension Tracking & Consolidation – Helps users locate and merge past pension plans for better financial oversight.

  • Future Pension Value Analysis – Provides projections to help users plan for retirement. Advisory Services & Educational Resources – Offers paid financial advisors or educational content to enhance pension literacy.


03 Interview

After conducting data research and competitive analysis, we developed high-level assumptions and identified initial pain points in the UK pension system. To validate our insights and gain a deeper understanding of users' current problems, we conducted user interviews with 10 participants, specifically tailored for financial products.



So, what exactly is the problem?

The biggest problem is a lack of pension knowledge, making it harder to track savings, understand rights, and plan effectively. Cross-border complexities and multiple accounts add to the confusion, increasing fees and tax burdens. Education and account consolidation are key to securing better retirement planning.




Ideation +
Concept Development

Based on the identified user pain points, we prioritized key design features: integrated management of multiple pension accounts, educational resources on pension policies, retirement planning based on lifestyle needs, and cross-border pension management. We also developed early assumptions and a high-level IA for testing, ensuring seamless integration with the existing product framework.


  • Establishing early hypothesis and IA to test
  • Usability Testing

To validate our concept, we conducted usability tests and interviews with six participants to assess the effectiveness of our proposed features. These sessions provided valuable insights into user behavior, identified usability challenges, and helped refine our design to better meet user needs.

One key focus was the display of the gap between the current plan value and the expected retirement goal. We explored three different data visualization options, each based on different time intervals, to determine which approach would provide the most clarity and motivational impact for users. Through testing, we aim to identify the most effective way to encourage users to take proactive steps toward their retirement goals.



Final Design


Learnings

This pension management app was a collaborative project with a UK-based financial company. As a foreign designer unfamiliar with local pension policies and regulations, my challenge was to create a user-centered product within a short timeframe. This project also marked my first deep dive into financial products, teaching me how to systematically understand unfamiliar industries and structure my research effectively.

  • Understanding Local User Behavior

I analyzed how UK residents interact with pension services to tailor the product to their needs. This process reinforced the importance of setting aside personal assumptions and validating design decisions through user insights.

  • User Interview Design

Designing interviews for financial products highlighted the need for privacy sensitivity and trust-building. Instead of direct, formal questioning, I used alternative methods to encourage honest insights. Beyond functionality, I also focused on the emotional aspect of pension planning, ensuring a balance between usability and reassurance.