More than a million UK ‘gig’ workers cannot afford to save into a pension, according to new research.
The latest data from PensionBee, a leader in the consumer retirement market, reveals that over half of temporary economy workers in the UK (57%) can’t afford to save into a pension, prompting urgent calls for a ‘universal pension’ system that would ensure every worker, regardless of income level, employment status or hours worked, has automatic access to a pension.
The findings mark the launch of PensionBee’s Invisible Worker campaign on National Freelancers Day, which aims to shine a spotlight on the millions of non-traditional workers, from freelancers and unpaid carers to those on zero-hours contracts, who are falling through the cracks of the UK pension system as a result of not being auto-enrolled.
The nationally representative survey of 1,000 UK adults who either aren’t paying into, or don’t know if they’re paying into a pension, found that affordability is the main barrier across all types of non-traditional work.
Sixty percent of self-employed and freelance workers who aren’t paying into a pension cited affordability as the key reason, followed closely by unpaid carers (57%) and those on zero-hours contracts (46%).
Beyond cost, a significant proportion of workers in the gig economy simply don’t know how to begin saving into a pension. Nearly one in three (29%) say they wouldn’t know where to start or they find pensions too complicated, a figure that rises to 32% among unpaid carers.
Calls for automatic access to pensions
In response to these barriers, nearly 70% of all respondents said that pensions should be made automatically available to every worker regardless of income, employment status, or hours worked.
This support for universal pension inclusion suggests a strong public appetite for reform.
The experience of exclusion
More than one in three (35%) respondents have at some point in their career felt excluded or unsupported by the pension system due to the nature of their work.
This sentiment was particularly pronounced among self-employed and gig economy workers, underscoring a systemic mismatch between modern work patterns and pension models.
A call for change
The findings come as policymakers and providers consider how to make long-term saving more accessible to a wider range of workers.
PensionBee is calling for reforms that prioritise simplicity, affordability, and broader eligibility to ensure that no one is left behind in planning for retirement.
Lisa Picardo, Chief Business Officer UK at PensionBee said:
“It’s time for a pension system in the UK that reflects the realities of modern working life and the creation of a ‘universal pension’ that includes millions of our nation’s invisible workers.
Too many people working hard outside traditional employment structures are being left behind by the current pension system, and are facing the very real risk of a poor retirement outcome with heavy reliance on the State Pension.
When more than half of gig workers say they simply can’t afford to save for retirement, this stops being a personal finance issue and becomes a systemic failure.
The message from the public is clear: they want a pension system that works for everyone, not just those in secure, salaried roles with employer contributions.
We need a safety net that catches everyone, especially those who will be most in need in later life. Automatic access to pensions, regardless of income, hours or employment status, is the next logical step towards a fairer future.
Retirement should not be a luxury. It’s a right earned through a lifetime of contribution - whether through freelance work, self-employment or unpaid care.”
