Assuming I am still at my current workplace when retire I shall be a fortunate one as I am in a final salary scheme and my wife is a teacher so our combined pensions should be able to sustain us both. That and my share/saving portfolio.

Though people not making any provision, when they could is quite horrifying. Who do they expect is going to support them later on in life?

Indeed, and what about those who can't make any provisions?

Or in fact lost their provision because the pension scheme collapsed/disappeared.

While it may be a bit morbid with a bit of simple financial planning you can reduce the amount of Tax that the tax man takes by a good amount

As for me I have always been a boring re Pensions – I have deliberately chosen jobs that have good pension provisions and while cannot guarantee that they will not fail if the Co are still going then will have a reasonable pension. Will have to work until nearly 65 though as that’s when the Mtg gets paid off (although I have been overpaying that since day 1 and with current low interest rates have increased he overpayments)

Yes but those will be disappearing as the tax payer will not suffer in penury when the civil service are retiring in luxury.

Its not the Taxpayer who will be suffering, as they won't earn enough to pay tax </pedant>