The shortfall in Britain's pensions funds is more likely to affect women than men, new research has claimed.

Fewer females can afford to top up their savings, according to campaign groups Age Concern and the Fawcett Society survey.

More than half of the women questioned in the sample said they have no extra resources to put towards their retirement.

Just 30 per cent of women say they are confident they have a good pension and are saving enough, compared to 46 per cent of men.

And almost a quarter of females admit they are relying on their partner to provide for them when they retire, including 20 per cent of people aged 25 to 34.

Age Concern said it was the responsibility of ministers to act to close the savings gap.

"Today's women pensioners are most likely to live in poverty and unless the government takes action it looks like history will repeat itself for the next generation," head of public affairs Michelle Mitchell said."Generally people who have a comfortable retirement have a good private pension, but many women simply can't afford to save and must rely heavily on the state pension.

"The current system is littered with obstacles and less than half of women pensioners qualify for a state pension in their own right."

Katherine Rake, the director of the Fawcett Society, added that the state pension was the best means of tackling the problem.

"Pressure is mounting on the government from think-tanks, charities and private sector organisations to radically modernise its outdated pensions policy.

"The needs of female pensioners must be at the centre of the government's strategy for tackling pensioner poverty.

"What is needed is a state pension which is accessible and reflects people's actual living costs."