The number of female widows who are over the age of 80 is over four times that of the number of male widows in the same age group, raising "important questions" for couples about their later life financial preparations, Just Group has said.

In analysis of the Office for National Statistics’ (ONS) population estimates, the group revealed that there are 1.1 million female widows in England and Wales aged 80 and over, outnumbering the 259,000 male widowers in the same age group by more than four times.

However, Just Group stated that women typically build up smaller pension pots compared to their male counterparts.

The Government’s analysis on the gender pension gap for private pension wealth at normal minimum pension age (age 55 when people can start withdrawing money from pensions) stands at 35%, rising to 44% for those with defined benefit pensions only.

Just Group said this means that males enter retirement with "far higher levels" of income than females.

Furthermore, the ONS has suggested that the annual disposable income for retired men (£30,052) is 21% higher than for retired women (£24,966).

Group communications director at Just Group, Stephen Lowe, said: "The disproportionately large number of widows, compared to widowers, over the age of 80 should raise important questions for couples about their financial preparations for later life.

"Women, on average, enter retirement with smaller pensions and lower income. They are also more likely to live longer and to be left worse off in retirement when their partner dies unless, as a couple, they take steps to make sure the survivor is protected. This can be achieved by ensuring there is a continuation of income paid from the deceased’s pension arrangements.

"This kind of forward-planning can be particularly valuable in relationships where one partner has significantly more wealth, or greater pension income, than the other."

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