New data shows Department for Work and Pensions ( DWP ) state pensioners with private pots retire with £7,600 less each year than men.State pensioners face having no payments 'for four months'State pensioners face having no payments ‘for four months’

State pensioners face seeing no payments for FOUR MONTHS in a brutal Cost of Living blow. New data shows Department for Work and Pensions ( DWP ) state pensioners with private pots retire with £7,600 less each year than men.

Female retirees in Britain face a financial shortfall of £7,600 annually compared to their male counterparts, according to the Trades Union Congress. This disparity translates to a retirement income gap of 36.5 per cent between the sexes.

The TUC calculates that women essentially receive no pension income for more than four months of each year when measured against men’s retirement earnings.

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The Prospect union warns this pension gap exceeds twice the size of the current gender pay gap, which stands at 13.1 per cent. Prospect advocates eliminating the £10,000 automatic enrolment threshold that prevents many women from accessing workplace pensions.

They also urge the Labour Party government to calculated pension contributions from the first pound earned. And it also recommends establishing a Carer’s Credit alongside existing National Insurance credits.

Speaking out, TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak said: “Everyone deserves dignity and security in retirement. But right now, too many retired women have been left without enough to get by.”

Prospect Senior Deputy General Secretary Sue Ferns OBE said: “That the gender pay gap sits at 14 per cent is unacceptable, for the gender pension gap to be more than twice that is nothing short of disgraceful and shames a society that doesn’t take action.”

The government has revived the Pension Commission to examine the causes of the gap, bringing together trade unions, employers, and independent experts.

Mr Nowak said reviving the commission is “a vital step forward”. He went on and also added: “We now have a chance to make sure everyone, including women, receive the decent retirement income that all workers need.”