Pension savers are being reminded that they could pocket an extra £69,000 retirement boost by avoiding a "pricey" World Cup charge.
Analysis from Standard Life notes that fans making the nine-mile journey from Manhattan to East Rutherford, New Jersey, are being charged $98 (approximately £73) for a return train ticket on match days.
This is nearly eight times the standard fare, with game ticket prices reaching tens of thousands of pounds.
Parking near venues is commanding hundreds of pounds per fixture, whilst accommodation costs have soared around key matches.
However, research from retirement specialist Standard Life demonstrates how such sums, if invested consistently, could substantially boost long-term finances.
The firm's calculations reveal that a 22-year-old earning £25,000 annually and contributing at minimum auto-enrolment rates would accumulate roughly £210,000 by age 68, accounting for two per cent inflation and charges.
Adding an extra £111 each month, equivalent to that inflated World Cup train fare, and increasing it in line with inflation would grow that pot to £279,000 in today's money.
That represents an additional £69,000 to someone's pension pot by the time they reach retirement age.
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Mike Ambery, retirement savings director at Standard Life, said: "Anyone who's followed football for long enough knows it's what happens over the full 90 minutes that matters, and the same is true when it comes to long-term saving.
"A pricey train fare like this might feel like a one-off - all part of the experience of heading to a World Cup, but it's a useful reminder that small amounts of money, put away consistently, can build into something much bigger over time."
He added: "In many ways, saving for retirement is about playing the long game. You don't need to be smashing it into the top corner every time, just staying invested, nudging your contributions up when you can, and letting time do its job."
Mr Ambery noted that with living costs rising across the board, modest financial decisions today can meaningfully shape retirement outcomes.
Mr Ambery offered several practical strategies for strengthening pension contributions.
He recommended treating saving as a regular habit rather than a sporadic effort, suggesting automatic monthly payments to maintain consistency regardless of fluctuating expenses.
Pay increases and bonuses present valuable opportunities to raise contributions, he noted, with the tax efficiency often meaning less impact on take-home pay than expected.
He also urged savers to ensure they capture all available incentives, including tax relief and any employer matching schemes that could significantly enhance their pot.
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