One in five women save no monthly income for retirement

TD Direct Investing has revealed research showing that one in five women don't save any monthly income for retirement.  The findings come during British Savings Week, which is all about encouraging people to look at ways they can save money.  

Taking care of finances has become increasingly front of mind for the working generation, as the five year austerity drive has highlighted the need for more financial security and a plan for the future. However, the TD Investor Confidence survey has revealed that women are not saving enough towards retirement and there is a gap between male and female behaviours. Only one in ten men were not saving any monthly income for retirement.

Stuart Welch, CEO of TD Direct Investing said: "Saving for retirement is a vital financial responsibility that everyone holds, however with general household finances feeling the pinch over the last few years, it could be that retirement saving is suffering."

"Pensions are not being utilised to their full potential in order to prepare for the future. This may be due to a lack of understanding or lack of access to financial tools and information. We believe this environment is set to change, with investors starting to have more access to DIY investing tools and information and therefore the ability to take control of their money and their future."

Following the Bank of England's announcement on interest rates in August, the prospect of a rate rise is not expected to come to light until at least 2016. Smart savers could look to investing to get more out of their money, with interest rates already staying flat for more than four years. Comparing the average returns on savings with the FTSE 100's performance clearly shows where investors might be able to make gains.  Despite market ups and downs, the FTSE 100 has actually risen over the last 10 years by 55%, from 4204.4 on 2 September 2003 to 6506.2 (at close on Monday 2 September). 
 
Stuart Welch, CEO of TD Direct Investing adds:  "The financial environment is just starting to reshape with changes designed to make investing easier, giving UK consumers more control over their finances. For example, the recent acceptance of AIM stocks into ISAs means savers and investors have more choice in how they use their money. Alongside this, a new wave of IPOs has begun to take shape, not just in the UK with the Royal Mail, but also globally, with Twitter for example. Now could be the time for consumers to start investing in themselves and their future."