Women’s retirement prospects are improving, but significant inequalities remain. The 2026 Women and Retirement Report finds the projected retirement income gap between women and men has narrowed, with women’s median projected income rising to £14,500 a year.

However, one in three women are still on course to fall below a minimum retirement living standard. The report explores how unpaid care, childcare, menopause, relationship breakdown and lower financial resilience can disrupt women’s working lives and pension saving. It also highlights how these inequalities can emerge early, with young women more likely to fall below automatic-enrolment thresholds and contribute at lower rates.

The findings point to practical opportunities for employers, government, pension providers, advisers and individuals to intervene earlier, provide better support at key life moments and help more women build financial resilience and achieve better retirement outcomes.