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Pregnant Then Screwed has launched the “Thanks For Your Service” campaign, drawing attention to figures showing women in the UK have an average of 33% less pension wealth than men. A YouGov survey of 400 lower- and middle-income mothers found many reported reducing work or pension contributions because of childcare responsibilities; the findings do not establish that motherhood alone causes the overall gap.
UK women have an average of 33% less pension wealth than men, figures highlighted by parenting charity Pregnant Then Screwed say, as the organisation launches a campaign about the financial effects of caring for children. A separate YouGov survey commissioned by the charity found that many of the 400 lower- and middle-income mothers surveyed said childcare responsibilities had affected their work or pension contributions.
The campaign, called “Thanks For Your Service,” aims to draw attention to how childcare, career breaks and maternity-leave pension issues can affect mothers’ retirement savings. Its public-facing images show mothers wearing neon signs reading “33% OFF,” referring to the reported average difference in pension wealth between women and men. The campaign includes public figures Ashley James, Anna Whitehouse and Cat Simms, among others, and is planned for billboards, print, social media and street displays.
In the survey, 42% of respondents who said their pension contributions had fallen attributed the reduction to having little or no choice because of childcare responsibilities. The charity also reported that 36% had reduced their working hours because of childcare, 28% had taken time out of work after having children, and 22% had changed jobs to fit around childcare. Eighteen per cent said they had prioritised childcare costs over pension savings.
Respondents also described concern about their retirement savings: 40% said they were worried, 29% anxious and 26% resigned. Five per cent said they felt confident. The findings reflect the views of the surveyed group; the source does not provide details such as the survey dates, the full questionnaire or a margin of error.
Childcare Choices Can Shape Retirement Savings
Pension savings build over time, so periods of lower pay, reduced hours or time away from work can mean smaller contributions. The survey suggests these pressures are not simply a matter of individual budgeting: respondents described childcare responsibilities and costs as influencing their employment and saving decisions. The results offer a snapshot of those experiences, rather than a measure of how much each factor contributes to the overall gender pension wealth gap.
The issue may also affect household financial security later in life. A pension shortfall can leave people with less income in retirement, although the source provides no estimates of the eventual financial impact for the mothers surveyed. Pregnant Then Screwed argues that workplace practices and the design of pension arrangements can disadvantage people whose employment is interrupted or reduced by caring responsibilities.
The campaign also points to a specific issue during maternity leave: the charity says some mothers may not receive the employer pension contributions they are entitled to if contributions are calculated incorrectly. That makes checking payroll and pension records relevant for workers on leave, while the precise rules depend on eligibility and scheme arrangements.
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How Maternity Leave Affects Contributions
The MadeForMums report says that, under UK rules, where an employee is receiving paid maternity leave and remains eligible for workplace pension contributions, the employer’s contributions will generally be based on the employee’s normal pay before leave, rather than the reduced maternity pay received. The employee’s own contributions are generally based on the maternity pay actually received, subject to the pension scheme’s rules. Readers should check their circumstances with their employer or pension provider, as eligibility and scheme terms matter.
Pregnant Then Screwed says it has heard from mothers whose contributions fell during maternity leave because of what it described as a miscalculation. The charity’s campaign calls for better awareness of pension entitlements, improvements to parental leave and greater recognition of the financial effects of caring responsibilities. Its argument links the reported pension gap with a wider pattern of employment interruptions and reduced hours, but the supplied report does not establish a single cause for the gap.
Survey Limits and Rules Still Matter
The 33% pension wealth gap is presented as an average difference between women and men in the UK. The source material does not specify the underlying dataset, the year it covers, how pension wealth is defined, or how results vary by age, income or family circumstances. It also does not show that motherhood alone explains the difference.
The YouGov results cover 400 lower- and middle-income mothers, but the report does not give fieldwork dates, sampling details or a margin of error. The percentages describe respondents’ answers and should not be treated as estimates for all mothers without further methodology. The reported maternity-leave contribution problem is also based on the charity’s account of cases it has heard about; its scale is not stated.
It remains unclear whether the campaign will lead to policy changes, how many employers may be calculating contributions incorrectly, or what financial effect any missed payments have had on affected workers’ eventual pensions.
Checking Contributions and Campaign Aims
Pregnant Then Screwed plans to use its campaign across public advertising and social media to raise awareness of the reported pension gap and maternity-leave contribution rules. The source does not announce a timetable for policy proposals or a formal government response.
For workers concerned about their own records, the report recommends checking pension statements, asking HR or payroll how employer contributions were calculated during maternity leave, and reviewing savings after changing work hours. Anyone who spots a discrepancy can ask their employer or pension provider to explain the figures. MoneyHelper is cited as a source of free information on workplace pensions and retirement planning.
Key Questions
What does the reported 33% pension gap mean?
Pregnant Then Screwed highlights figures saying women in the UK have an average of 33% less pension wealth than men. The source does not provide the underlying dataset or explain how the comparison varies across groups.
What did the survey find about childcare and pensions?
In a YouGov survey commissioned by Pregnant Then Screwed of 400 lower- and middle-income mothers, 42% of respondents whose pension contributions had fallen said they had little or no choice because of childcare responsibilities. Other respondents reported reducing hours, changing jobs or taking time out of work after having children.
How are workplace pension contributions handled during maternity leave?
The report says that when a worker receives paid maternity leave and remains eligible, employer contributions will generally be based on normal pre-leave pay, while the employee’s contributions are generally based on maternity pay received. Scheme rules and individual eligibility apply, so workers can check with HR, payroll or their pension provider.
What is the “Thanks For Your Service” campaign?
It is a Pregnant Then Screwed campaign highlighting the pension wealth gap and the financial effects of caring responsibilities. Its imagery uses “33% OFF” signs to refer to the reported difference between women’s and men’s average pension wealth.
Source: rss
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