A study by employee benefits provider B&CE found 72% of employees intend to contribute to the scheme. But an increasing number indicated they would opt out, up from 25% to 28%.
Regionally there are large variations within the group surveyed, with over 35% in the North and Greater London regions saying they will opt out but only 15% in the areas of Yorkshire, Humberside, the South West and Wales.
There were also distinctions within age bands, with 10% of the 18-34 age group indicating they would opt out, while 42% of those aged over 55 claim they will opt out of the pension scheme.
B&CE's research also looked at why customers might opt out and found 21% gave the reason of affordability, marking an increase of 17% on the previous year; 24% cited the fact they already contribute to another pension - down some 30% from last year.
