Savers who live in south east England have an average pension pot of £28,183, almost twice the size of individuals who live in north east, with savings of £14,513, according to research.
Fintech company PensionBee examined a sample of 5,098 savers, looking at how average pot size and pension contributions vary across the country.
According to the analysis, the average pot size across the UK is £21,441.
The north-south split in England also spreads out to the UK’s constituent countries, with Wales (£15,473) Northern Ireland (£14,796) and Scotland (£21,482) all struggling to match southern pots.
Region | Average pension pot (£) | Sample |
England | 21,730 | 4,544 |
East Midlands | 15,531 | 435 |
Greater London | 24,503 | 1,605 |
North East | 14,513 | 303 |
North West | 15,509 | 492 |
South East | 28,183 | 991 |
South West | 16,356 | 393 |
West Midlands | 19,203 | 325 |
Northern Ireland | 14,796 | 60 |
Scotland | 21,482 | 337 |
Wales | 15,473 | 157 |
United Kingdom | 21,441 | 5,098 |
However, PensionBee's data suggests that certain regions might still close the gap.
The research showed that 40 per cent of Welsh customers are contributing every month, making Wales home to the UK's keenest savers.
Nevertheless, it is the Northern Irish that lead in terms of contribution size, with savers in this region putting around £310 per month into their pension.
Thanks to these sizeable contributions, Northern Irish savers can expect a pot of £144,100 at retirement, an amount that is only second to the £149,900 savers in the south east can expect.
According to Romi Savova, chief executive of PensionBee, the data “clearly shows that the most important part of a pension is how much you put in”.
She said: “The government has made it attractive to save, and as an industry we need to do the same, by improving customer service and embracing technology.
“We’re passionate about taking the lead on this and closing the pension gap across the country.”
Earlier this week consumer group Which? published data on regional discrepancies between individuals receiving state pension - the average person receives £154.10 a week in East Hertfordshire, compared to £128.17 a week in the London Borough of Newham.
maria.espadinha@ft.com
