ASC ISAR Seminar
Presenter: Prof. Athina Vlachantoni, Professor of Gerontology & Social Policy, Department of Gerontology, University of Southampton, UK
Abstract: Coming from a minority ethnic community in the UK is associated with a disadvantage in terms of pension scheme membership and saving for later life. This seminar draws on a three-year research project on pension protection among minority ethnic communities at the Centre for Research on Ageing and ESRC Centre for Population Change – Connecting Generations Programme in the University of Southampton, funded by the UK’s Economic and Social Research Council. The seminar presents empirical fundings from the analysis of nationally-representative data in the UK, which shows persistent ethnic and gender gaps in pension scheme membership and saving behaviour; and findings from qualitative interviews and focus groups with members of minority ethnic communities, highlighting culture-specific ways of financially preparing for later life and perceptions of the UK pension system. The seminar concludes with a discussion of ways in which pension protection in the UK can become more inclusive for future cohorts.