One in three of today’s workers faces poverty trap in retirement

One in three people in work today will struggle to afford essential bills in retirement, new research reveals.

Some 11.6million full and part-time workers are on course to miss minimum income thresholds of £13,400 a year for a single person and £21,600 for a couple, it found.

But people in full-time jobs are more likely to hit these basic income levels than those in part-time work, who often earn less than the £10,000 trigger to be auto-enrolled into a pension by their employers.

The Government should look at expanding auto-enrolment to support part-time workers and lower earners, according to pension firm Scottish Widows which carried out the study.

Its analysis of people’s current savings, future retirement income and likely living expenses found 28 per cent of the UK’s 34.2 million workers will reach the minimum income thresholds described above.

Some 8 per cent are on track for a moderate income, which is £31,700 for an individual and £43,900 for a couple, but 30 per cent should achieve a comfortable retirement, with an income of £43,900 for one person or £60,600 for a couple.

The percentage of workers on track to hit minimum, moderate and comfortable retirement income standards – or to miss out (Source: Scottish Widows)

The income levels were drawn from an annual industry study by Pensions UK, which attempts to highlight what lifestyle people can expect in retirement, but does not include tax, housing or care costs in its calculations. 

Scottish Widows found one in five full-time workers face poverty on an income short of the minimum, while 36 per cent of part-time workers will miss the target.

People over state pension age who are on low incomes are eligible for pension credit, which currently tops up an individual’s income to around £11,800 and a couple’s to around £18,000.

But many who are eligible do not claim pension credit, and the Government will this week launch its latest awareness drive to get more people to sign up.

> Can YOU claim pension credit? Find out how to top up your weekly income 

Scottish Widows also surveyed 1,000 employers and 2,000 staff across a range of industry sectors about pensions. 

It found some 45 per cent of firms provide regular information and support about pensions, but some 38 per cent of employees had little to no understanding of what they offered.

Additional benefits and support can include making higher than the auto enrolment minimum contributions into pension pots, offering matched contributions where employers pay in more if you do, salary sacrifice, financial education sessions and access to financial advice.

Firms told Scottish Widows they regard offering matched contributions as the most important additional support they can offer their workforce.

‘A workplace pension can be the most powerful tool people have to shape their financial future, but low engagement is holding people back from taking their best shot at long-term saving,’ says Graeme Bold, managing director of workplace and intermediary wealth at Scottish Widows.

> How to squeeze the most out of your work pension

How to sort out your pension if you fear it’s falling short

1) If you are worried about whether you will have saved enough, investigate your existing pensions. Broadly speaking, you need to ask schemes the following questions.

– The current fund value.

– The current transfer value – because there might be a penalty to move.

– Whether the pension is in a final salary or defined contribution scheme. Defined contribution pensions take contributions from both employer and employee and invest them to provide a pot of money at retirement. 

Unless you work in the public sector, they have now mostly replaced more generous gold-plated defined benefit – career average or final salary – pensions, which provide a guaranteed income after retirement until you die. 

Defined contribution pensions are stingier and savers bear the investment risk, rather than employers. 

– If there are any guarantees – for instance, a guaranteed annuity rate – and if you would lose them if you moved the fund.

– The pension projection at retirement age. You can use a pension calculator to see if you will have enough – these are widely available online.

2) You should add the forecast figures to what you anticipate getting in state pension, which is currently £230.25 a week or nearly £12,000 a year if you qualify for the full new rate. Get a state pension forecast here.

3) If you are tempted to merge your old pensions, read our guide first to ensure you won’t be penalised.

4) If you have lost track of old pots, the Government’s free pension tracing service is here. 

Take care if you do an online search for the Pension Tracing Service as many companies using similar names will pop up in the results.

These will also offer to look for your pension, but try to charge or flog you other services, and could be fraudulent. 

Many employers pay more into staff pensions than auto enrolment minimum of 3% of salary between £6,240 and £50,270 (Source Scottish Widows)

Do you qualify for pension credit?

You can check if you qualify for a valuable pension credit top-up payment here or call the claim line on 0800 99 1234.

‘Around one in three older people entitled to pension credit are not receiving close to £2,000 a year that has been set aside for them,’ says Amy Dodge, head of Influencing at charity Independent Age. 

‘This money can be life-changing for older people on low incomes who simply can’t afford to miss out.

‘If you’re eligible, not only will you receive an additional income, but you will be able to access a host of other benefits, including help with housing costs and council tax, vouchers towards glasses and contact lenses, and you’ll receive Cold Weather Payments and the Warm Home Discount Scheme in the winter.

‘It’s also important to note that if you weren’t previously eligible but your circumstances have changed, you may now be entitled, so it’s worth checking again.’

Independent Age has a helpline on 0800 319 6789, and Age UK’s is on 0800 678 1602.

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