This is why Greer comments: "The state pension will not provide an income required for a comfortable standard of living in retirement, and really will just provide for basic living. A private pension is therefore vital – particularly when you consider the costs of social care."

Until a suitable compromise is found for state pension uprating (if such a Holy Grail exists), and until the gender pay and pension gaps begin to close, it is therefore imperative that women are encouraged as early as possible to save as much as possible. 

simoney.kyriakou@ft.com