The Pensions Advisory Service has claimed that only 16% of women get a full basic state pension on the basis of their own contributions, compared to 78% of men.
Seven out of ten callers to the womens' helpline are not making any private pension provision, whereas 38% of younger women, aged between 16 and 29 are saving in private schemes for their retirement.
The PAS received almost 8,000 enquiries on its helpline it set up in October last year. Over eighty per cent of the callers were over 50, and a third of all calls were over confusion on entitlement to the state pension.
Our view
It is common knowledge given that many women stay at home and whilst looking after the home they miss out on pension rights.
Take a look at our Women and pensions section.