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Research and analysis

Life courses and pension saving patterns

This report summarises new longitudinal analysis to understand how life courses are associated with pension saving and retirement outcomes.

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Life courses and pension saving patterns

Details

Research background

This research was commissioned to understand more about different life course trajectories experienced by groups that evidence suggests are under saving for retirement, such as the self-employed and women. The research was commissioned to provide new evidence to inform the work of the Pensions Commission.

Contribution to the evidence base

This research complements DWP’s wide evidence base on private pensions and Automatic Enrolment. This includes publications on Workplace pension participation and savings trends, the Gender Pensions Gap, Low earners and workplace pension saving, and on Analysis of Future Pension Incomes.

Research value

The research findings are being used to inform the work of the Pensions Commission, tasked with undertaking a holistic review of the UK pensions system.

Updates to this page

Published 18 May 2026

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