Gender pensions gap

The gender pensions gap is estimated to be over twice the size of the gender pay gap, while women’s retirement wealth averages only one-third of men’s in the UK. Three million women are missing out on workplace pensions because they don’t qualify for auto enrolment. We’re working hard to change that.

In July 2019 we published new research on pension inequality for women. Our report revealed that there are 50% more women than men heading towards retirement without any private pension savings.

Facing an unequal future - closing the gender pensions gap

Our pioneering research with the Pensions Policy Institute (PPI) sets out the scale of the gender pensions gap – and how we propose to tackle it.

Download the report

Our research shows women in retirement have 72% lower pension income than men

Find out why

New ways to support working parents getting back into the office

The auto enrolment threshold challenge

You have to earn at least £10,000 a year in a single job to qualify for auto enrolment, which excludes many people on lower incomes. What’s more, the auto enrolment minimum contribution rules mean the first £6,240 of earnings don’t count towards pension contributions.

If you work multiple part time jobs that collectively pay over £10,000 a year, you won’t be eligible for auto enrolment and will miss out on contributions from your employer.

We’ve presented policy proposals to the government that could help change this and create a fairer and more inclusive pension system.

Our fight to help close the gender pensions gap

We’ve presented five policy proposals to the government to help close the gender pensions gap.

1
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Remove the £10,000 earnings ‘trigger’ for auto enrolment

Where every £1 of income is eligible for pension contributions.
2
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Remove the lower earnings limit

So all earnings count towards pension contributions.
3
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Introduce a ‘family carer’s top-up’

To the pensions of people taking time out of paid work to care for family members.
4
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Include pensions in divorce settlements

Pension assets should be treated like all other assets in financial settlements.
5
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Make more lower-cost childcare available

A parent shouldn't have to choose between a job or childcare.

What are the hurdles that mothers face when going back to work?

What does the gender pensions gap mean for women today?

GLAMOUR magazine and NOW: Pensions - pension partners

We’ve joined forces with GLAMOUR magazine, providing pensions
guidance and support in its regular Money Matters column.

Find out more