The government has revealed almost half of the working -age adult this week does not pay for a private or workplace pension.
Self-employed persons, low-receiving people and women have their own pension-only one of the four people in Pakistan or Bangladesh have such a pension.
The BBC talked to some of those who do not have a job or private pension to find out why.
“I’m more worried about everyday survival than to worry about the future,” says Moheimon, 29.
Originating from Bangladesh and now living in London, he works in the hospitality sector when and when jobs appear.
He worked at the university retail and was automatically accepted in a pension scheme, but realized he could not use the money until he retired, he stopped it.
“The whole dream of having a good job and paying for a pension doesn’t feel like it is applying to me,” he says. “Many of my financial solutions are based on survival – this is my reality.”
He adds: “Even if I got a good job with good pension benefits, I’d rather save a bail to the house. I’ll try to get £ 30,000 – £ 50,000 in my bank account. I think it’s more important than everything.”
“I need to cover my day’s expenses first”
Saira says she has no money every month to retire [Saira Amir]
Saira Amir, 46, is a self -employed stylist working in Norfolk. She says that if she could afford to save on retirement, but she tries to cover her daily expenses.
She has three children of 21, 20 and 11, who all live at home with her.
“It is risky to be self-employed for this job,” she says. She would like to open her own salon, but she says it’s a huge price that you can’t afford yet.
A single mother receives a universal credit – payment of benefits for working age.
However, it says it includes foods and £ 5 per day bus prices to get to customers and “insufficient” savings for retirement.
Saira adds that in previous generations of Pakistan’s family, parents would have trusted their children to look after them after retiring, but with the children “I don’t know their mindset”, so she doesn’t expect the same.
State pension
For those who do not have a private or workplace pension, they may need to rely on a public pension.
In general, you need 35 years of qualification of national insurance premiums to receive a full state pension.
This is £ 230.25 a week, which equates to £ 11,973 a year in the tax year of 2025/26.
However, the annual income needed for the minimum standard of pension livelihood was £ 13,400 per person per year and £ 21,600, two estimates of pension and lifelong saving association.
What she calls the “average” lifestyle will require £ 3 £ 31,700 a year, and two people need £ 43,900.
“Comfortable” retirement is £ 43,900 annual income for one and £ 60,600 for two.
Car approval pension
All employers must offer their employees a retirement workplace scheme and automatically accept those who meet certain criteria.
Among them are people who earn at least £ 10,000 a year for work and are from 22 years and state pension. But not those under the age of 22, and self -employed persons.
Employees can give up if they don’t want to save. Otherwise, 5% of their income exceeding £ 6,240 per year, and the employer with a 3% income contribution to the savings of a pension pot.
The idea is to encourage saving retirement from the previous age, filling out a state pension in later life. From its gradual introduction 2012 It was widely considered success when relatively few people refuse.
Those who pay for the workplace also receive a tax relief for what they pay.
“So if you are a basic taxpayer who would have paid 20% income tax, it means that you get a 20% tax relief for your pension contribution,” says Helen Morrisey, Hargreaves Lansdown Pension Analysis Manager.
“This means that the 100 pounds of pensions would cost you only £ 80.”
She adds: “For a larger taxpayer who would have paid the tax 40%, for the $ 100 contribution will cost them only £ 60.”
“I wish I would start earlier”
Victoria says she is worried about the future of those who have no pension [Victoria Olsena]
38 -year -old Victoria Olsena says she “barely know anything” that saves her retirement.
“People should understand that the future will be terrible and they should do something,” she says.
Originating from Argentina and now a British citizen in the UK after a few years later, Victoria manages her AI marketing consultations earning £ 50,000 a year.
She pays a pension and Isa and says she wants she started to pay for her early retirement.
Helen of Hargreaves Lansdown says: “Retirement can feel like a long distance of the road, and this may mean that you prioritize other things for your money.
“However, it is this long -term contribution feed to your pension that actually increases its value over time.
“Treatment with him will certainly help you because it may be difficult to make a lost place later.”
Additional Connie Bowker and Kevin Peachey Reports.