Marvin OnumonuResearch by M&G found that 36% of people who changed jobs in the last five years did not ask about their new employer’s pension scheme during the recruitment process.
Only 6% of jobseekers asked about the pension scheme at the first interview, and just 12% did so at the final interview.
The research also showed that 40% of full-time workers do not know how much their employer contributes to their pension, and 43% have never changed their own contribution levels.
Nearly a quarter (22%) of people said the workplace pension was the benefit that most influenced their decision to accept a job, behind salary (48%) and flexible working (25%).
The data showed women were more likely to value flexible working (27%) and holidays (24%), while men placed more emphasis on pension packages (26%) and bonus schemes (16%).
M&G’s research also found that 25% of workers have lost track of old pension pots.
Kerrigan Procter, managing director, corporate pension solutions at M&G, said: “When applying for a job, checking the pension scheme on offer is essential.
“Too many people are missing out because they don’t ask, or the information isn’t readily available.
“That’s why we make our pension details clear and upfront in every job advert, and why we’d like to see all employers do the same.”
Procter added: “When combined with a simple pension health check at each job move, that transparency could make a huge difference to people’s financial security. Pensions need to be impossible to overlook.”
