
Woman's Hour The pension gap, Rape trial delays, Author Harriet Lane
Nov 18, 2025
Lily Megson-Harvey, Policy Director at My Pension Expert, reveals how a staggering number of women could face poverty in retirement due to the gender pension gap. Maxime Rowson, from Rape Crisis England and Wales, discusses troubling delays in rape trials, urging for reforms to protect survivors. Professor Janet Cade shares eye-opening findings from the UK Women's Cohort Study regarding diet's impact on women's health. Novelist Harriet Lane delves into themes of social media, exploring how parasocial relationships shape modern friendships.
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Protect Pension During Maternity And Leave
- Check your workplace pension statements when you go on maternity leave to ensure employer contributions continue.
- Speak to HR and a regulated financial adviser to explore options if payments reduce or you plan part-time work.
Scale And Causes Of The Pension Gender Gap
- The private pension gap is large: average male pots are about £156,000 versus £81,000 for women.
- Causes include the gender pay gap, career breaks and higher part-time work prevalence among women.
Act Early To Reduce Retirement Losses
- If you take a career break, proactively explore private pension options and consider regulated financial advice.
- Discuss maximizing employer contributions early with your employer to limit long-term pension loss.

