Women are more than twice as likely as men to miss out on being automatically put into a workplace pension, according to new research.

The analysis shows that almost 1 in 9 women (10.9%) are in jobs where their employers do not have to enter them into a workplace pension, while the figure is less than 1 in 20 (4.3%) for men.

Employers are required by law to automatically enrol workers into a pension if they earn £10,000 a year or more, and to make contributions for them.

But 1.4 million women earn less than this threshold – potentially leaving many without an occupational pension.

The problem is highlighted in research just published by the TUC (Trades Union Congress).

Key statistics:

1 in 9 : the number of female employees in jobs where their employer doesn’t have to enter them into a workplace pension

29th May : the date when the average woman starts receiving their pension compared to an average man

40.5% or £7,100 : the income gap between men and women in retirement – more than twice the gender pay gap, which is currently 14.9%

Reporting the research, the TUC highlights key factors influencing the pensions gap and calls  on the government to take action to tackle the  divide:

  • Caring responsibilities: women are more likely to take time out of work or work part-time to look after children, making it harder to build up a workplace pension
  • Gender pay gap: the impact, over time, of women earning less than men due to the gender pay gap
  • Auto-enrolment: employers do not have to enrol low paid workers into a workplace pension – and these are more likely to be women.
  • State pension: historic differences in National Insurance contributions have left women with lower state pensions on average.

Read more about the research findings here.  And tell us what you think:  are you focused on getting your pension plans in place or think it’s something for tomorrow?  Take part in our poll and see how many are like you.

gender pay gap pensions