'Shocking' pensions gender gap trebles in ten years

New DWP statistics show that in 2006/07 the average retired single woman had a gross income of £294 per week and her male counterpart had £325 – a gap of £31 per week.

However by 2016/17, this gap has nearly trebled to £85, with the average woman now on £316 per week whilst the average man is on £401 per week.

Women’s incomes have risen by just 7% in real terms over the period compared with an increase of 23% for men.

The data shows two main factors which seem to be driving the growing chasm between men and women - earnings and occupational pensions.

Over the last decade, the real earnings of single women in retirement have largely flatlined and are actually now slightly down on ten years ago (£21 per week in 2006/07 v £19 per week in 2016/17). But for men, the average has more than doubled, from £17 per week in 2006/07 to £37 per week in 2016/17.

Additionally, whilst occupational pension incomes have risen for both men and women, there has been a particularly sharp increase for men. Women have seen their average occupational pension income rise from £58 to £81 over the decade, but men’s occupational pensions have shot up from £83 per week to £125 per week, stretching their lead over women.

Steve Webb, director of policy at Royal London, said: "These figures reveal a shocking surge in the gap between men and women when it comes to living standards in retirement. Having a decent occupational pension and the potential to top up pensions with earnings are the two key factors in having a good income past pension age.

"Much more needs to be done to tackle the disadvantages faced by women in the later life jobs market as well as doing more to ensure women are building up better pensions in their own right in the future."