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  "path": "/money/youth-unemployment-crisis-threatens-pensions",
  "publishedAt": "2026-05-29T15:33:04.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.gbnews.com",
  "tags": [
    "John Lewis sitting on £101million worth of cash which belongs to customers",
    "‘Economic vandalism!’ Landlord rages at Labour as ‘nice pub tax’ to hit nation’s boozers",
    "Retirees forced to pay tax on 'modest' pension incomes as seven million 'dragged' into HMRC net",
    "The GB News Editorial Charter"
  ],
  "textContent": "\n\n\nBritain is facing a growing risk of a pensions crisis as more than one million young people fall outside work, education or training for the first time in over a decade.\n\nAaron Bright, market analyst at IG, described the situation as a “retirement crisis in slow motion” as youngsters fall behind on retirement savings.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nFresh Office for National Statistics (ONS) data shows 13.5 per cent of 16–24‑year‑olds are now classified as NEETs, the highest level in 12 years.\n\nThe rise comes as the labour market continues to weaken, with vacancies at a five‑year low and entry‑level professional roles becoming harder to secure.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nTRENDING\n\nStories\n\nVideos\n\nYour Say\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nEconomists warn that prolonged early‑career inactivity risks leaving younger workers permanently behind on pension saving.\n\nRoyal London estimates that someone who eventually becomes a higher‑rate taxpayer could lose up to £300,000 in retirement wealth if they delay pension contributions from age 25 to 30.\n\nMr Bright said: “Higher‑rate taxpayers are uniquely placed to benefit from pension saving; the Government subsidises 40 per cent of every pound they put in, but that only applies if you are earning.”\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nClare Moffat, pensions and tax expert at Royal London, said retirement planning relies heavily on the “magic of time”.\n\n“Missing out on pension saving in your twenties means forgoing compounded returns, giving up free money and potentially having to pay higher contributions in future to catch up.”\n\nSeparate analysis from Standard Life found that starting pension contributions at 30 rather than 22, based on a £25,000 salary and five per cent annual investment growth, could leave savers £61,000 worse off by retirement.\n\n### LATEST DEVELOPMENTS\n\n\n\n\n  * John Lewis sitting on £101million worth of cash which belongs to customers\n  * ‘Economic vandalism!’ Landlord rages at Labour as ‘nice pub tax’ to hit nation’s boozers\n  * Retirees forced to pay tax on 'modest' pension incomes as seven million 'dragged' into HMRC net\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nMalvee Vaja, financial planner at Rathbones, said these gaps are “difficult to close, even with higher contributions later on”, adding that uncertainty over the future of the state pension is increasing pressure on younger people to build private savings.\n\nEmeritus Professor Joe Nellis, economic adviser at MHA, warned the issue goes far beyond the labour market.\n\n“Youth unemployment is not simply a labour‑market issue.\n\nThe longer it is left unresolved, the greater the risk that it will become a major crisis for pensions and public finances.”\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n**Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter**",
  "title": "Youth unemployment a 'retirement crisis in slow motion' as Britain heads for pension disaster"
}