Women in their 50s working full time earn 20% less than men: Pay gap means smaller pensions and is widest of any age group Women in their fifties are earning an average of £11.99 an hour But men of the same age are paid an average of £14.69 Out of pocket: Working women in their fifties earn 20 per cent less than men of the same age according to new figures (file picture) Women in their fifties who have a full-time job earn nearly 20 per cent less than men of the same age, figures show. They earn £11.99 an hour - £3 less than fifty-something men who are paid an average of £14.69. The Trades Union Congress analysis, which is based on figures from the Office for National Statistics, says the pay gap also translates into smaller pensions. It found that women aged from 50 to 59 endure the widest gender pay gap of any age group. In their 20s, women typically earn more than men and in their 30s they fall only slightly behind. But the gap grows rapidly in their 40s and reaches a peak in their 50s. Frances O'Grady, general secretary of the TUC, said: "Low pay remains a big problem for women. This is particularly the case for the millions of women who have been badly let down by the pension system and who are approaching retirement with little or no savings. Part-time work is the only option available for many older women who also have to look after loved ones, either their grandchildren or their own parents, who may no longer be able to work long hours. Most of these women earn less than £10,000 a year, barely enough to live on, let alone save for their retirement. The average woman of any age who works part time earns £8,666 a year, according to the ONS. The pressure on women is made worse by the Government's decision to increase the state pension age. It once stood at 60 but is rising to 67 and will keep on going up. Of the women over the age of 50 who are employed, one in two are part time. The report also shows that the number of older women in work has increased sharply over the past 20 years. Working later: The report also shows that the number of older women in work has increased sharply over the past 20 years (file picture) In 1992, 47 per cent of women between 50 and 64 had a job, compared with 61 per cent today. Ros Altmann, who is a former government policy adviser and independent economist, said: "Many women have an interrupted working pattern which does hamper them in the jobs market. The seniority of the jobs they can achieve in later life is poor because they have been out of the jobs market for very valid reasons, such as caring for their children. Even though they might have equally strong skills, they end up earning less. A report from the Chartered Management Institute recently revealed a woman in a senior job will typically earn £425,000 less during her career than a man doing exactly the same job.