More than half (57 per cent) of UK 'gig' economy workers can't afford to save into a pension, research from PensionBee has revealed, prompting 'urgent calls' for a universal pension system.

The research showed that around 60 per cent 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 per cent) and those on zero-hours contracts (46 per cent).

Beyond cost, a "significant" proportion of workers in the gig economy simply don’t know how to begin saving into a pension.

According to PensionBee, nearly one in three (29 per cent) said they wouldn’t know where to start or they find pensions too complicated, rising to 32 per cent among unpaid carers.

In addition to this, the research found that more than a third (35 per cent) 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.

The findings have since prompted "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.

There was also support for this idea amongst workers, as nearly 70 per cent of all respondents said that pensions should be made automatically available to every worker regardless of income, employment status, or hours worked.

In particular, PensionBee stressed the need for reforms that prioritise simplicity, affordability, and broader eligibility to ensure that no one is left behind in planning for retirement.

PensionBee chief business officer, Lisa Picardo, 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.”

This also builds on recent research from Nest Insight, which found that a default approach could help close the retirement savings gap for self-employed people.

---