Overview

• New census analysis by the Women’s Budget Group shows women’s average retirement pots stand at £88,000 versus £155,000 for men, a 43% gap.
• Gen X women aged 55–59 hold about £81,000 in pension savings and could exhaust their funds within seven years at a typical withdrawal rate.
• Unpaid care responsibilities, part-time work and the 13% gender pay gap are key drivers behind the 43%–48% pension shortfall for women.
• The gender pension gap more than doubles the wealth gap (21%) and triples the pay gap, underlining systemic barriers to women’s retirement security.
• The newly relaunched House of Commons Work and Pensions Committee has vowed to boost engagement and is exploring auto-enrolment enhancements and private pension tax relief.