Business · Economy · 8 hrs ago
One in three UK women risk falling short in retirement
A Scottish Widows study estimates that one in three women in the UK may fall short in retirement, compared with three in 10 men.
It defines the minimum income as £13,900 a year for one person or £22,500 for a two-person household.
Women’s projected median retirement income is £14,500 a year, while men’s is £18,300.
The projected gap has narrowed from £6,000 in 2025 to £3,800 in 2026, which Scottish Widows links to smaller pay differences, higher state pension entitlement and growth in women’s other savings.
The study also found that 14% of women under 30 earn below the threshold for automatic workplace pension enrolment, compared with 9% of men.
Scottish Widows says unpaid caring, life events and workplace pension rules can affect women’s ability to save, and calls for policy and workplace changes to improve financial security.
One in three women in the UK who are not yet retired are projected to fall below the income needed for a minimum standard of living in retirement, a Scottish Widows report indicates.
The report puts the threshold at £13,900 a year for a single person and £22,500 for a two-person household.
Women’s median projected retirement income rose to £14,500 a year, while men’s was £18,300.
Scottish Widows said the projected gender pension gap narrowed from £6,000 in 2025 to £3,800 in 2026.
The research also found that 14% of women under 30 earned below the threshold for automatic enrolment in a workplace pension, compared with 9% of men.
- Who
- Women in the UK who are not yet retired, as well as men for comparison.
- What
- A Scottish Widows report estimates that 33% of women risk falling below the minimum income standard in retirement. It also reports a narrowing projected gender pension gap.
- When
- The report was published on November 10, 2026. The survey was carried out in August.
- Where
- The UK.
- Why
- The report examines projected retirement incomes and pension savings. Scottish Widows cited unpaid caring responsibilities, menopause and relationship breakdowns as factors that can disrupt women’s ability to save.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Scottish Widows’ research survey was carried out.
The Evening Standard published the report’s findings.
- Women at risk
- 33% of women not yet retired
- Men at risk
- 30% of men
- Minimum income threshold
- £13,900 a year for a single person; £22,500 for a two-person household
- Median projected retirement income
- £14,500 a year for women; £18,300 for men
- Pension gap
- £3,800 in 2026, down from £6,000 in 2025
- Survey size
- More than 5,200 UK adults
What people are saying
Change must happen faster.
Too many women face a retirement of financial hardship, with life events such as unpaid caring responsibilities, menopause and relationship breakdowns disrupting their ability to save.
Our data shows that the pension gap takes root from a woman’s very first job.