Women are more active than men when it comes to planning for their retirement, a new study shows.

Research from HSBC shows that the majority of women believe they will be responsible for providing for themselves financially with only a smaller number relying on the government or their employer.

The 'Future of Retirement' study found that 57 per cent of women aim to be self-reliant in their retirement compared to 52 per cent of men. Just over half have already started to make plans whilst around six in ten men are yet to do so.

Only 16 per cent of women feel the government will fund their retirement and four per cent believe their employer should be responsible for doing so compared to 22 per cent and five per cent of men respectively.

Over a quarter of women and 21 per cent of men have already met with their independent financial advisors (IFA). One in five women and 16 per cent of men have consulted their bank over their future finances.

Women are also more optimistic about the future with three in five believing it to be a time for new challenges. Nearly three in five men feel that retirement is a benchmark for old age.

Steve Troop, head of Retirement Businesses at HSBC, said: "Women expect to live longer than men and have more experience of running flexible personal and professional lives. This makes them more open to complex and varied options in later life.

"Government and industry need to adopt a more flexible approach to retirement saving that makes it easier for women to take and plan for career breaks without losing out on retirement savings."