On the go: The Professional Footballers’ Association is campaigning for a new pension mechanism for women footballers, which would be similar to an arrangement for their male counterparts that is funded by a levy on transfer fees.
Footballers are automatically enrolled into workplace pension schemes with their clubs. Male players may also belong to the Professional Footballers’ Pension Scheme, which is funded by a 4 per cent levy on transfer fees in the Premier League and English Football League.
A funding agreement was recently struck for the next three years, which will see £76m of funds redistributed back to players in the form of pensions.
Male footballers will receive pension contributions from the PFPS of £6,240 from August 2022, £6,660 in 2023, and £6,900 in 2024. This is an increase from the current level of £6,180.
This mechanism only exists in the men’s game, and an equivalent system based on transfers for women footballers would not be sufficient owing to the significantly smaller size of the fees involved.
As first reported by The Times, however, the PFA is working to secure a similar system for women footballers.
“This will be a prominent part of the conversation with the government with the pending review of the women’s domestic game,” a PFA spokesperson said. It is understood that this review will be launched within the next few weeks.
“A football career is a short one. Schemes such as the PFPS help protect players who have short and unstable careers. Female players should be given the same protections,” the PFA said.
