However, the figures, based on 286,000 invested PensionBee customers as of 30 June 2025, reveal a persistent gender gap in pension savings, highlighting ongoing inequality in retirement outcomes and raising fresh questions about how to close the divide. Average quarterly contributions stood at £1,624 in the first half of 2025, compared to £1,677 during the same period in 2024, representing a 3% decline. The small drop may reflect a market settling down, following the exceptional high contributions spurred by the increased annual allowance in 2024. Despite this, savers are largely holding firm in their pension commitments amid ongoing economic uncertainty.
Gender gap remains stubbornly wide
The data shows a continued disparity between male and female savers. In the first half of 2025, men contributed an average of £1,845 per quarter, while women contributed £1,347 – a 27% gap that has shown little movement. This aligns with recent Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) figures, which reveal a 48% gender pensions gap among those approaching retirement.
Male contributions fell 4% year-on-year (from £1,920), whereas female contributions remained largely unchanged (from £1,349). This suggests that women are sustaining their pension contributions, even as financial pressures persist, whereas male contributions may be more responsive to financial circumstances or market conditions.
Self-employed narrow the gap
Encouragingly, the gap between employed and self-employed savers has narrowed. In the first half of 2025, the self-employed contributed an average of £1,635 per quarter, compared to £1,679 among employed savers – a modest difference of just £44. Contribution levels declined slightly from a 2024 high over the same period, falling 4% (from £1,708) for self-employed savers and 1% (from £1,702) for employed.
Lisa Picardo, Chief Business Officer UK at PensionBee, commented: “We can't allow today's contribution gaps to become tomorrow's poverty in retirement. It’s encouraging to see average contributions maintaining 2024's exceptional levels. But the persistent gender gap in contributions is concerning. The fact that male savers consistently contribute over 25% more than female savers reflects systemic inequalities that compound over decades. When women are earning less and taking career breaks for caring responsibilities, lower pension contributions naturally follow. The DWP’s own figures show a significant 48% private wealth gap between men and women approaching retirement. The government must urgently address these structural barriers through policy reforms, while employers and the pensions industry need to do more to support women's retirement outcomes.”
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