The results of the nationwide study show that one in three (33 per cent) of those who have put pension payments on hold have done so because they are out of work, while over a quarter (27 per cent) say that they can no longer afford the contributions.
More than two-fifths (43 per cent) of those who have stopped paying into their pensions do not plan to start again, despite the long-term impact it will have on their retirement income.
Prudential's calculations show that irregular contributions could reduce the values of savers' pensions by thousands of pounds. In fact, a saver who misses a year of gross contributions of £2,400 could see their final pension fund reduced by £7,000.
Vince Smith-Hughes, head of business development at Prudential, said:
"Tightening your belt when times are hard is sometimes necessary, and putting pension contributions on hold might seem an easy way to save money; however, neglecting pensions today means throwing money away tomorrow, as savers will miss out on perks, such as tax relief and employer contributions.
"Abandoning your pension pot really should be a last resort when times are tough. By getting into the routine of saving into a pension as early as possible, savers will be able to ensure the comfortable retirement that they deserve."
