ONS Date on Pension trends

BobQ

Some statistics just published by the ONS on pensions:

http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/pensions/pension-trends/chapter-6--private-pensions--2013-edition/index.htm
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In 2011, there were 8.2 million active members of occupational pension schemes. This is the lowest level since the 1950s.
In 2011, for those who were active members of occupational pension schemes, membership was higher in the public sector (65%) than in the private sector (35%). Most active members of Defined Benefit (DB) pension schemes in 2011 (56%) were in schemes that were closed to new members.
The proportion of employees who belong to Defined Benefit (DB) occupational pension schemes has fallen from 46% in 1997 to 28% in 2012.
The average contribution rates for Defined Benefit (DB) occupational pension schemes for both employees (4.9%) and employers (14.2%) were higher than those for Defined Contribution (DC) pensions. For DC schemes, employees and employers contributed an average of 2.8% and 6.6% respectively.

http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/pensions/pension-trends/chapter-8--pension-contributions--2013-edition/index.html

In 2011, according to results from the Occupational Pension Schemes Survey (OPSS), the average employee in a private sector Defined Benefit (DB) scheme contributed 4.9% of salary. For Defined Contribution (DC) schemes, the average employee contribution rate was 2.8%. The average contribution rate for members in private sector DB schemes, having increased from 2000 to 2009, fell in 2010 and fell again, by slightly more, in 2011. For DC schemes; there has been little change in member contribution rates.
Between 2011 and 2012, many public sector pension schemes made changes to their employee contribution rates as a result of recommendations outlined in the 2011 report of the Independent Public Service Pensions Commission. In 2011, 11% of employees were paying contribution rates of ‘7% and over’. In 2012, this had increased to 37% paying ‘7% and over’.