MIND THE PENSION GAP

GH’S no-panic guide

Do you have big dreams for your post-work life? Then you’ll need a bank balance to match. Worryingly, the latest figures show a widening gap in pension savings between men and women. But there are steps you can take to plug the hole and get a grip on your future finances – whatever your age

Your aim is to retire on about half of your working income. Check your pension pot once a year: add all your pensions together and consider your state pension forecast (gov.uk/state-pension-statement) for a good sense of how much you’re likely to have when you retire.

To receive a full state pension under the new rules, you need to have 35 years of National Insurance contributions – but career breaks and part-time work mean many women don’t reach this. As well as averaging half the pension savings of men, women also...