Calls for AE reform with low earners losing £122m

Scottish Widows calls for urgent reforms

Hope William-Smith
clock • 1 min read

Low-paid pension savers under increased pressure from the Covid-19 pandemic should be able to opt out of auto-enrolment (AE) and still receive employer contributions, Scottish Widows says.

The latest Scottish Widows Retirement Report - published on 7 July - found workers earning between £10,000 and £20,000 per annum who lost income during the pandemic had missed out on around £122m in pension savings from employers. This figure almost triples to £325m if including personal contributions. Almost a third (31%) of those in that earnings bracket (31%) reported a decline in their finances during the pandemic, with one in five (18%) experiencing a drop in income and over half (54%) now concerned about running out of money in their later years. Scottish Widows said "urgent"...

To continue reading this article...

Join Professional Adviser for free

  • Unlimited access to real-time news, industry insights and market intelligence
  • Stay ahead of the curve with spotlights on emerging trends and technologies
  • Receive breaking news stories straight to your inbox in the daily newsletters
  • Make smart business decisions with the latest developments in regulation, investing retirement and protection
  • Members-only access to the editor’s weekly Friday commentary
  • Be the first to hear about our events and awards programmes

Join

 

Already a Professional Adviser member?

Login

More on Pensions

Pensions: The overlooked asset in divorce settlements?

Pensions: The overlooked asset in divorce settlements?

Practical steps to narrow the divorce pension gap

Alistair Myles
clock 11 February 2026 • 5 min read
Legacy pensions tech creates 'enormous risk, costs too much and underserves clients'

Legacy pensions tech creates 'enormous risk, costs too much and underserves clients'

'Our industry is famous for thinking in decades, but customers will not wait that long'

Jonathan Hawkins
clock 10 February 2026 • 4 min read
Govt moves to tackle gender pension gap with LPGS scheme changes

Govt moves to tackle gender pension gap with LPGS scheme changes

Reforms follow consultation on access and fairness in the Local Government Pension Scheme

Jonathan Stapleton
clock 03 February 2026 • 2 min read