Women are being urged to save more towards their retirement, so as to avoid financial hardship in later life.

The Government has launched a campaign targetting women, who it warns run the risk of finding themselves dependent on the State or their partner if they do not increase their retirement provision now.

Pensions minister James Purnell, and minister for women Meg Munn, will highlight a ‘pensions gap’.

According to figures from the Department for Work and Pensions, only 30% of women currently retire on a full State pension compared with 85% of men.