
Woman's Hour Weekend Woman's Hour: Pensions gender gap, Winter Olympics, Paris Paloma
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Jan 31, 2026 Paris Paloma, a singer-songwriter and performer, shares new music about women’s bodies. Jeanette Kowachi, broadcaster covering the Winter Olympics, and Aimee Fuller, former Olympic snowboarder, discuss inclusivity, athlete journeys and new winter sports. Dr Daniella Jenkins, feminist economist, and Sarah Pennells, consumer finance specialist, talk pensions, the gender gap and practical retirement advice.
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UK's Structural Gender Pensions Gap
- The UK has the second highest gender pensions gap in the OECD, driven by pension design favoring individual savings pots.
- Women earn less across their lives so their private pension pots grow smaller and the gap compounds over time.
Gap Starts Young And Compounds
- The gender pensions gap begins early, appearing in the 16–24 age cohort due to pay discrimination and employment patterns.
- Small early differences amplify over decades through compound interest, widening the retirement gap.
Protect Lowest Earners From Trade-Offs
- Make saving affordable by protecting lowest earners from mandatory contributions that force choices between living today and future security.
- Consider non-contributory arrangements for the lowest paid so they don't sacrifice essentials to save for retirement.


