New research shows Scots lead the way in recognising the importance of Power of Attorney (PoA), highlighting the urgent need for better public awareness and education in Great Britain.
Having a Power of Attorney allows a trusted person to manage an individual’s financial, legal, or healthcare decisions if they're unable to do so, potentially avoiding delays, confusion, or legal complications during emergencies or periods of incapacity.
Nearly three fifths (57%) of Scots said that a Power of Attorney (PoA) was important, compared to under half (46%) of people in Great Britain as a whole, according to research from the Standard Life Centre for the Future of Retirement - Power of Attorney in Scotland: Comparisons with Great Britain, conducted by Message House BPI.
Levels of uptake and awareness
The proportion of the population with an up-to-date PoA is higher in all age groups in Scotland and has reached 59% amongst the 70+ age group, compared with 40% for Great Britain as a whole. The gap is narrower however for younger groups, with 14% of 50-69 year olds saying they had an up-to-date PoA in place in Scotland, compared to 9% across the nations.
Overall, 36% of Scots said they were likely to register or update PoA in the next 2 years compared to 27% of people across Great Britain as a whole. Recent campaigns around PoA may have brought about greater knowledge of the subject.
The Centre’s research also found misconceptions around obtaining a PoA inhibited wider uptake. For example, 31% of respondents believed they were too young to need a PoA, when they can be acquired from the age of 16 in Scotland and 18 in England and Wales.
A PoA can be in relation to property and financial affairs or health and welfare matters. The Centre’s research considered concerns around the basic awareness of PoA: Across England, Scotland, and Wales, only 13% of people said they knew a lot about PoA. While understanding increases with age, only 18% of 50–69-year-olds, said they knew a lot about it and just 8% of all respondents had an up-to-date PoA in place.
Cath Sermon, Head of Public Engagement and Campaigns at the Standard Life Centre for the Future of Retirement, said: “Scotland is leading the way in recognising the importance of Power of Attorney, but across Great Britain, awareness remains worryingly low. Our research shows that too many people are unprepared for life events that could leave them vulnerable. Power of Attorney isn’t just a legal formality - it’s a vital safeguard setting out who can manage your finances in the event of something happening to you. Without it, loved ones may face lengthy legal processes to gain authority, often at a time of crisis, which can delay access to essential funds and support. We urgently need better public education to dispel myths and help people understand why and how to put PoA in place now, before they need to use it.”
The Centre’s findings echo the Financial Conduct Authority’s April 2025 report on retail banks’ treatment of customers in vulnerable circumstances, including those managing affairs through PoA. While progress has been made, the FCA stressed the need for continued education and improved customer support in regard to critical services such as bereavement and Power of Attorney.
Encouraging greater understanding of how a PoA functions forms part of Phoenix Group’s Caring for Carer’s initiative****, which aims to help millions of people who work and care for someone with their financial wellbeing. Many of the estimated 5.6 million unpaid carers in Great Britain regularly assist the person they care for with their finances, according to Carers
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