Number in pensions schemes falls

The number of Britons in occupational pension schemes fell to 8.3 million in 2010, the lowest level since the 1950s, according to the Office for National Statistics.

Those contributing to personal pension schemes also fell to 6 million. According to the latest estimates, there are 7.4 million active members of defined benefit schemes and 6.9 million people contributing to defined contribution schemes.

The proportion of employees who belonged to defined benefit schemes fell to 30 per cent in 2011, down from 46 per cent in 1997.