Research suggests that only 50 per cent of women in their 30s work full-time, compared with 81 per cent of men of the same age.

The juggling act of life is tough, and planning for your pension often gets side-tracked when financial pressure is applied from all angles.

However, according to this year’s Scottish Widows Women and Pensions Report, it is largely women who bear the burden of limited, personal pension facilities, as 20 per cent would agree they prioritise financially supporting their children above saving for their retirement.

Additionally, 21 per cent of the women in this age group believe they can rely on their partner’s pension as their source of income upon retirement – a potentially perilous move, considering the current high divorce rate.

With a new single-tier state pension of £144 a week set to be introduced in 2016, based on at least 35 years’ qualifying National Insurance contributions, it is important to start saving as soon as possible.

Under this rate, the average 66-year-old woman would need approximately £195,000 to buy that level of index-linked pension with their own savings.

Starting a family is one of the biggest obstructions facing women and their retirement fund. However, employers continue to pay into a woman’s pension when she is on maternity leave – up to the statutory minimum of 39 weeks.

Even if a woman decides she does not want to go back to work, she can make small National Insurance contributions that will enable her to continue building credits.

Our sister company, Milsted Langdon Financial Services, can help you plan for a comfortable retirement, based on your individual circumstances and long-term goals. Our specialists also offer a Pensions Review Service to help you understand your pension and ensure that it remains on track to help you enjoy the retirement you really want. To find out how we can help, please contact us.