PENSIONERS in Glasgow are losing out on tens of thousands of pounds because of lower life expectancy according to new research.

The Scottish Government has analysed figures on life expectancy and pensions across the UK and concluded men in the parts of Glasgow with the lowest life expectancy receive £50,000 less than those in the more affluent areas where people live longer.

Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said that planned increases in the pension age will make the situation worse, with people in Glasgow losing out even more.

Life expectancy in the city has improved slightly in recent years but as it has increased slower than in richer areas, the gap between the shortest and longest has widened.

The report shows that on average men in Glasgow on a pension of £160 a week will receive £29,000 less than the average across the UK and £50,000 less than the highest life expectancy area, Harrow in the south of England.

For women the difference is £22,000 and £46,000 respectively.

Even compared to the lowest areas in the rest of the UK, Glaswegians receive less over their pensionable lifetime - £7000 for men and £4000 for women compared to Manchester and Blaenau Gwent.

The people expected to live the longest in Scotland, women in East Dunbartonshire, also get less than the longest living in England.

Ms Sturgeon said: "This research makes clear that Scots are already short-changed when it comes to pensions.

"If the state pension age rises at the same pace in Scotland as in the rest of the UK, the risk is that this problem will be compounded. The lower life expectancy in Scotland means it would be fairer for people in Scotland if the increase in the pension age was postponed.

"That is why it is right for Scotland to consider a state pension age relatively lower than the rest of the UK."

The report concluded that the planned increases in state pension age to 67 are being driven by higher life expectancy in England, which would be "actuarially unfair" to Scotland.

Ms Sturgeon added: "We have taken measures that will contribute to reducing in-equalities in health.

"Life expectancy is improving but progress will take time, and we don't want Scots to be disadvantaged in the meantime."