- Women in England able to draw pension income of almost £1,000 less than men in Scotland from £100,000 pot
- Men in Glasgow can take over £2,300 more than women in Camden
New analysis by pensions and investment provider, Aegon highlights the impact that gender and geographical location have on how much people should take as income in retirement, if drawing down from their pension pot, to avoid running out of money part way through retirement.
Since the introduction of Pension Freedoms three years ago, retirees have been attracted to the flexibility of income drawdown, despite the risk it creates of running out of money part way through retirement. More people are now choosing drawdown over the traditional route of buying an annuity, which offers a guaranteed income for however long the individual lives.
Annuities often don’t take into account where people live and since December 2012, European ‘gender equalisation’ rules mean annuities have to pay out the same amount each year to men and women, even though women on average live longer. Gender and where you live affect average life expectancy and in turn how much income should be taken as drawdown from a pension pot to ensure it lasts the length of average life expectancy. Many people do however live far longer than average.
Aegon’s analysis calculates how much an individual could take out each year to run out of money to coincide with average life expectancy, assuming investments grow by 3.25% each year after charges.
| Region | Gender | Average life expectancy at age 65 | Maximum income for £100,000 retirement fund |
| England | Male | 83 years 10 months | £7,035 |
| Female | 86 years 1 month | £6,490 | |
| Wales | Male | 83 years 2 months | £7,220 |
| Female | 85 years 7 months | £6,600 | |
| Scotland | Male | 82 years 5 months | £7,445 |
| Female | 84 years 8 months | £6,820 | |
| Northern Ireland | Male | 83 years 4 months | £7,170 |
| Female | 85 years 7 months | £6,600 |
This shows that while a 65 year old male in Scotland (where life expectancy is the lowest of the 8 groups) might be able to take up to £7,445 a year without running out of money before average lifespan, a female of the same age in England (where life expectancy is highest) will run out if taking any more than £6,490 a year, which is £955 a year less.
| Location | Average life expectancy at age 65 | Maximum income for £100,000 retirement fund |
| Highest life expectancy | ||
| Female | ||
| Camden | 89 years 5 months | £5,875 |
| Kensington and Chelsea | 88 years 7 months | £6,015 |
| Chiltern | 88 years 6 months | £6,030 |
| Westminster | 88 years 5 months | £6,040 |
| Richmond upon Thames | 88 years 2 months | £6,085 |
| Male | ||
| Kensington and Chelsea | 87 years 1 month | £6,285 |
| Westminster | 86 years 4 months | £6,440 |
| Harrow | 86 years | £6,510 |
| East Dorset | 85 years 8 months | £6,585 |
| Camden | 85 years 8 months | £6,585 |
| Lowest life expectancy | ||
| Female | ||
| Glasgow | 83 years 2 months | £7,220 |
| West Dunbartonshire | 83 years 6 months | £7,125 |
| East Ayrshire | 83 years 6 months | £7,125 |
| North Lanarkshire | 83 years 7 months | £7,105 |
| Manchester | 83 years 8 months | £7,080 |
| Male | ||
| Glasgow | 80 years 2 months | £8,270 |
| Manchester | 80 years 10 months | £8,005 |
| North Lanarkshire | 81 years 2 months | £7,880 |
| West Dunbartonshire | 81 years 2 months | £7,880 |
| Blackpool | 81 years 6 months | £7,755 |
The variation is even greater if differences in life expectancy within regions and cities are taken into account. The group with longest life expectancy is females living in Camden who on average live to age 89 years and 5 months, meaning they have to spread their retirement funds over an extra 9 years and 3 months compared to a male in Glasgow.
Steven Cameron, Pensions Director at Aegon said:
"The majority of people are now choosing to draw down an income, while keeping their pension pot invested, rather than buying an annuity. While this offers greater flexibility, it means people need to predict how long their retirement is likely to last, so they avoid the risk of taking too much income and running their pension pot dry.
"Gender and where people live can have a huge impact on average life expectancy. Women aged 65 in England can expect to live 4 years and 1 month longer than men in Scotland and need to spread their pension pot over these extra years. With a fund of £100,000 at age 65, women in England should be taking almost £1000 less each year than a man in Scotland.
"Of course, no-one knows exactly how long they’ll live and it’s extremely risky to base your income on living no longer that the average, as many people live far longer. The affordable income also depends on an individual’s overall health and where the pension fund remains invested.
"Whether you’re a man in Glasgow or a woman in Camden, we always recommend seeking advice to arrive at a sustainable income level and an investment strategy that allows freedom in retirement while controlling the risk of running out of money."
ENDS
Further information
Life Expectancy figures taken from: Office of National Statistics Life Expectancy at age 65 by sex, UK, 2014 - 2016
Notes to Editors
- In the UK, Aegon offers retirement, workplace savings and protection solutions to around two million customers and employs approximately 3,450 staff. More information: aegon.co.uk
- As an international life insurance, pensions and asset management company based in The Hague, Aegon has businesses in over twenty five markets in the Americas, Europe and Asia. Aegon companies employ over 28,000 people and have millions of customers across the globe. Further information: aegon.com
- The value of an investment can fall as well as rise and is not guaranteed. You may get back less than the amount originally invested.
Aegon is a brand name of Scottish Equitable plc. Scottish Equitable plc, registered office: Edinburgh Park, Edinburgh EH12 9SE. Registered in Scotland (No. 144517). Authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. Financial Services Register number 165548. An Aegon company.www.aegon.co.uk
© 2018 Aegon UK plc.
