Analysis from Scottish Widows found female pension saving remains at all-time lows, and lags behind male saving rates.

It urged women not to rely on their partner’s pension to secure their income in retirement without first gaining appropriate knowledge on what would happen in the event of a relationship breakdown pre- or post-retirement.

Its Women in Pensions Report 2013 found just 40% of women – compared to 49% of men – are building sufficient pension savings. The level was 42% last year and about 50% in 2011.

The ninth annual survey of more 5,000 people found that while more than a third (37%) of women have no pension whatsoever, the same applies for just over a quarter (27%) of men.

On average women are putting aside £182 a month – well below the average amount of £260 among men. This creates a gender pension savings gap of nearly £1,000 a year, the pension provider added.

Independent pension consultant Ros Altmann said this was down to a number of factors, including the fact that women typically earn less and work for fewer years than men “which makes it harder for them to save as much as men”.

“This means they receive lower private pensions and have less in other savings as well. Women have historically also lost out in the state pension system, although the new flat rate state pension will provide a more level playing field,” she added.

Scottish Widows added women faced what it called “generational barriers” to saving.

The study said women in their 20s were tied down by short-term financial pressures and prioritised living expenses (42%), paying off debts (26%), travel and holidays (23%), or saving for a property (18%) over saving for retirement.

More than half (54%) of 22-29-year-olds do not have a pension, compared to 37% of the general female population.

Only 50% of women in their 30s work full-time compared with 81% of men of the same age, meaning 30-something women bring in an average gross income of £19,200 – way behind the £28,700 that the average 30-something man takes home. Scottish Widows said this was likely due to family responsibilities.

Career breaks and cutting back on hours also have a knock-on effect on women’s ability to save, with women in their 30s only saving £87 a month on average towards retirement, outside of pension and property investments. This is compared with the £151 that their male counterparts are saving each month outside of pensions and property.

By the time women reach their 40s, their financial priorities have changed, with almost one in four (23%) 40-49-year-olds saying they had prioritised financially supporting their children over retirement saving in the last five years.

Some 24% also said they expect their partner’s income to help support them in retirement, despite the fact that 79% do not know what their partner would be entitled to from their pension fund if they were to separate.

Graves commented: “Of particular concern is the number of women in their 40s who are planning to rely on their partner to help support them in retirement, but are unsure of what their pension provision would be were they to separate.

“We should encourage these individuals to take full responsibility for their financial independence. Knowing what you are entitled to allows you to make informed choices and gives you a back-up plan if anything were to go wrong.

“The pensions industry, government and employers need to work together to raise awareness of the unique lifestyle pressures that take their toll on women’s savings at different ages and help women prioritise their pensions. Initiatives such as auto-enrolment are fundamental in helping the nation’s workers to think about saving, but women outside the workplace need greater access to information and guidance about other retirement options.”