YOUNG people in Worcestershire are no longer relying on the Government to provide for them when they retire, but many of them think they can put off saving towards their own pensions.

New research shows that only six per cent of the county's 18 to 25-year-olds think a pension is "something paid for by the Government," while 38 per cent associate it with old age and something they would pay into later in life.

Adequate

They may realise that the state is unlikely to provide an adequate income in later life, but many do not realise the benefits of starting their own pensions sooner rather than later, says Co-operative Insurance Society, which carried out the survey.

Someone who begins saving at the age of 20 is likely to receive a pension at 60 which is three times that of someone who started saving at 40, says the CIS.

Young people can look forward to longer retirements than ever before as life expectancy continues to rise.

It currently stands at 15 years for men over 65 and 20 years for women of the same age.