A five-year career break could leave a 30-year-old worker with nearly £244,000 less in projected pension wealth by retirement after returning to work three days a week, according to new calculations. For higher earners, the projected gap could exceed £422,000 when missed contributions and potential investment growth are taken into account.
For parents who step away from work to provide unpaid care, the financial impact can continue long after they return to employment. Pension contributions may fall or stop altogether, while money that could have remained invested loses years of potential growth.
