Younger people are more likely to actively save into a pension than their older counterparts because of they have fewer financial commitments, according to a retirement savings map issued by Friends Life.
The pension provider, which was recently acquired by insurance firm Aviva as part of a £5.6bn deal, polled 18,000 people across the UK to examine their retirement habits.
It found that, of the 10% of 18-24 year olds who have a pension, all are contributing to their fund.
In comparison, one in seven (14%) of 35-44 year olds who have a pension are not contributing at all.
This savings inertia rises to one in six (17%) of those aged 45-54 and then almost a quarter (23%) of those aged over 55 who have a pension but are not saving anything at all into it.
The research also suggested that younger people were facing up to the reality of retirement and were more realistic about their later life income.
The average 18-24 year old expected to have an income of £17,440 per year in retirement, leaving them with a potential financial shortfall of £4,840.21 once living and housing costs have been factored in.
But those aged 45-54 expect to have an income of £18,474 per year in retirement, leaving them with a shortfall of £6,489 each year.
Andy Briggs, Friends Life group chief executive, said auto-enrolment meant more people from a younger age were encouraged and supported to start saving. He said that he expected this trend in behaviour to start accelerating.
'However, our research suggests that with age comes saving inertia, which may be a result of other priorities taking over, such as weddings and spending money on children,' Briggs said.
'Putting savings in place early will ensure more people can secure a retirement they aspire to.'
