MEN GET £1.80 A WEEK MORE THAN WOMEN BUT GENDER GAP 'WILL SOON BE HISTORY'

THE pensions gender gap is close to being eliminated, with women retiring today now receiving almost as much state cash as men.

- By Jonathan Walker

Men still get £1.80 more a week on average, according to the Department for Work and Pensions, but the difference between the sexes has narrowed significantly.

Women have historically been penalised for taking long career breaks or not working at all, because the state pension is linked to National Insurance contributions.