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Straipsnyje apžvelgti pasaulyje atliekami namų ūkių taupymo pensijai elgsenos tyrimai ir apsvarstytas optimalios mokslinio tyrimo „Lietuvos namų ūkių taupymo pensijai senėjančioje visuomenėje elgsena“ metodologijos pasirinkimas. Apžvelgiamos teorinės žmonių taupymo elgseną aiškinančios įžvalgos. Tradicinis ekonomistų požiūris į žmogų ekonominiu aspektu lyginamas su elgsenos ekonomistų teorine perspektyva. Apžvelgiami JAV, Vokietijoje, JK ir kitose šalyse atlikti tyrimai, atskleidžiant jų tikslus, metodologiją, pagrindines išvadas. Pateikiamos rekomendacijos dėl Lietuvos taupymo elgsenos mokslinio tyrimo metodologijos, siūlant atlikti Lietuvos namų ūkių finansinės elgsenos ir vartojimo tyrimo duomenų analizę bei remiantis elgsenos ekonomistų prielaidomis pateikti rekomendacijas, kaip skatinti žmones taupyti pensijai. The paper reviews the main theoretical perspectives defining household behaviour and methodological approaches of research conducted in the USA, Germany, Japan, the UK, and other countries. The question of the saving behaviour of Lithuanian households relates to changes in the demographic development of society, the well-being of the elderly, and social policy. Household saving behaviour is one of the essential factors in the state economy. It is important at both macro and micro levels. Savings could be an indicator of social welfare, and savings for old age could be a significant source for proper consumption and prosperity in retirement. This is crucial for ageing societies, because the state does not have the capacity to provide state funds for old people. Saving behaviour varies from country to country. Nevertheless, different saving behaviour has been observed by the research, and some general trends exist. Global trends show that households save for housing, children’s education and retirement the most; households do not save enough for a decent living in retirement. As has already been mentioned, saving for retirement is becoming more and more important because of the ageing of society. Household composition changes because of demographic change (the ageing of societies). Therefore, the state has less ability to allocate enough funds for pensions. Accordingly, both the state and the people themselves should have an interest in saving enough for retirement. Nevertheless, people do not save enough for retirement. Therefore, scholars try to find the main reasons why people do not save enough for old age. Researchers search for the best strategies and methods to encourage people to save more for retirement. Outcomes of scholarly research provide guidelines for governmental institutions and social policy. There is not enough scholarly research on these issues in Lithuania. Different theoretical directions determine the choice of research methodology. Therefore, it is important to review and understand what theoretical paradigms are used to analyse household saving behaviour. However, research on behavioural savings in retirement is dominated by economic approaches. In economics, two prevailing theoretical prospects on humans in the economic and social environment can be identified. The authors of these two viewpoints interpret different patterns of human behaviour, and offer different solutions. This is also related to interpretations of households’ retirement saving behaviour. Two prevailing theoretical prospects on humans in the economic and social environment can be identified in economics. The authors of these two viewpoints interpret different patterns of human behaviour, and offer different solutions. This is also related to interpretations of households’ retirement saving behaviour. The first approach extends from traditional economic theory. The second was proposed by behavioural economists. Some of the main research aims and issues addressed by researchers in analysing household retirement saving behaviour can be named: yy saving purposes and motives. yy factors determining household saving behaviour. yy household means of saving for retirement (when to start, how much to save, how to choose a saving method), which way to save enough money for retirement. yy behaviour of different households (by composition, structure, socio-demographic characteristics). yy the impact of household assets (financial and non-financial), consumption/ expenditure structures, the chosen pension savings measure on savings. yy the impact of lifestyle on pension saving behaviour. yy the impact of knowledge on pension saving behaviour. yy the impact of an ageing of society on pension savings. yy the impact of macroeconomic indicators on savings. An overview of global research allows recommendations for the methodology of scientific study in Lithuania. It is recommended to put the main goals of the research: yy to study the motives for households’ savings. yy to analyse saving methods (what saving instruments are chosen, what are the saving preferences). yy to study how households’ lifestyles are related to saving. yy to study the impact of changes in socio-demographic factors on savings. yy to study the impact of economic, social and political factors on savings. yy to analyse the extent to which other criteria (knowledge and information, possession of assets, etc) influence saving behaviour.