Business owners and the self-employed are neglecting their pensions as they prioritise today's needs over those of the future.
According to a report publicised by the British Chamber of Commerce, investment company Standard Life found that the self-employed were taking serious financial risks.
Their research found that 40 per cent of self-employed 35-44 year olds have no pension provision at all.
It also found that half of those that did have a pension had saved less than £3500, compared to an average of £73,000 pounds for employed people of the same age.
The company warned that those without pensions needed to take steps now to safeguard their income into the future.