Overview
- Official figures show men at age 59 hold a median £75,000 in defined contribution pension wealth versus £19,000 for women, a £56,000 gap.
- Researchers link the gulf to the gender pay gap, career breaks, part‑time work, and the cumulative mental load that squeezes time for long‑term planning.
- The study says defined contribution schemes place outcome risk on individuals and assume sustained engagement that disadvantages care‑interrupted careers.
- Industry and consumer groups, including Evelyn Partners, Hargreaves Lansdown, Which? and PensionBee, are calling for coordinated employer practices and policy reform to avoid a pensions shortfall.
- The report notes six in ten women lack a retirement plan, and coverage cites evidence the private pensions gap has widened in recent years.