Personal pensions statistics

26 September 2014

HM Revenue and Customs have published some interesting statistical information on personal pensions, based on data that pension schemes are required to report to them.

The HMRC publication starts with some simple “layman’s” definitions of the different types of pension scheme, with the associated taxation and other implications, which could be a very useful source of reassurance for anyone without long experience of the pensions industry.

 

The report also includes some fascinating insights, including details of how contributions from individuals and minimum contributions have both declined over the past 20 years or so in proportion to contributions from employers.

It is also interesting to note for example that the peak age groups for contributing were in the 35-44 and 45-54 regardless of gender, maybe reinforcing concerns that younger workers are not as keen as they might be to start saving for their retirement.

The research also contains regional comparisons, showing for example that the highest proportion of the adult population contributing to personal pensions is in the South East of England at 13 per cent, while the North East shows the lowest participation, at 8 per cent of adults.