Research by Prudential found that one in 10 higher earners make no contribution to a personal pension, which means around £225m in tax relief goes unclaimed every year.

The study found the average higher rate taxpayer earns nearly £63,000 a year. Those surveyed who make additional personal contributions to a defined contribution company pension scheme contribute on average £523 a month gross, receiving tax relief of just over £200 a month or over £2,500 a year directly into their pension fund.

Clare Moffat, a tax specialist at Prudential, said: “Saving into a pension offers valuable tax relief to all workers and particularly to higher rate taxpayers. With a lower threshold for higher rate tax more people stand to benefit from extra tax relief on pension contributions. However, our research shows that a significant number of higher rate taxpayers are passing up the opportunity to receive an extra helping hand with their future retirement income.

“A career spent earning a relatively high income doesn’t guarantee a comfortable retirement. It’s easy to see how pension contributions can be overlooked. But the good news is that it is never too late to take action and to start saving as much as possible.”

Members of occupational pension schemes receive basic and higher rate tax relief automatically through their payroll.

However, members of personal pension schemes, including GPPs (Group Personal Pension Schemes), SIPPs (Self Invested Personal Pensions) and stakeholder pensions, only receive basic rate 20 per cent tax relief automatically. They need to claim the additional relief through their annual tax return or by informing HMRC.

The research also found that nearly six in 10 higher rate taxpayers paying into defined contribution group pension schemes do claim or receive the additional tax relief on pension contributions they are due.

However, 15 per cent admit to not knowing whether or not they do claim tax relief.