Privatisation and pensions: what does this mean for women?

Abstract

This paper considers the relationship between gender and private pension provision. It provides a brief history of private pensions before considering the implications of pension policy on women's private pension situation under New Labour and, briefly, the coalition government. For instance, there has been an emphasis on neoliberal concerns of private saving and individual responsibility as a means of reducing expenditure and encouraging long-term sustainability. The paper suggests that the focus on individual responsibility in pension saving leaves many women ill-equipped to save and dependent on means-tested pension provision, largely as a result of intermittent work histories.