Women, people from ethnic minorities and disabled people are discriminated against in the present pensions system, according to a new report.

In its study, the Pensions Policy Institute argued that current schemes make the assumption that contributors are employed throughout their working life and earn good incomes.

As a result, those with varied work patterns found themselves "under-pensioned" despite recent reforms.

The PPI is considering possible options such as scrapping the second pension and increasing the basic state pension, or introducing a citizens pension, with payments according to residency rather than the levels of contributions made.

"The structure of the UK pension system means that any group with low earnings or an irregular employment record will lose out in retirement," said report author Chris Curry.

"The system disadvantages groups such as women, ethnic minorities and disabled people, who are more likely to work part time and have low earnings.

"Although recent reforms aim to solve these problems, significant under-pensioning will continue."