The Basic State Pension from April 2009 was set at £95.25.

In comparison, the Office of National Statistics (ONS) indicates that the average pensioner will have costs between £136 (retired couple) and £162 (single retired person) per person per week.  Clearly, there is a gap in provision and income for many retired people, complicated by any reliance on benefits.

Artquest advises practitioners interested in pensions, their importance and structure to visit the Pensions for Artists website.  This site contains very useful and informative articles about pensions, including an overview of state and private pensions and other methods of saving for retirement.

You may also be interested in visiting the Pensions Service website for basic State pension information and a retirement calculator; the Money Made Clear website for information on other pensions types; and the London Pensions Fund Authority website, the providers of many pensions for arts teachers and tutors in Futher and Higher Education. 

For more information, you might consider attending a free Pensions for Artists seminar run by EUCLID across England.