Around two-thirds of UK adults will rely on the state pension to fund their retirement, a new study has found.

A survey from professional adviser portal unbiased.co.uk found that 65 per cent of consumers will supplement their retirement income with a state pension, with older people the most likely to rely on state-backed schemes.

More than eight in ten (84 per cent) of over-55s will draw from a state pension when they retire, compared to 62 per cent of 35-54 year-olds and just 44 per cent of under-35s.

Although the state pension was the most popular source of retirement income, 47 per cent of respondents revealed that they expect to rely on a private pension scheme and a quarter cited Isas as a key retirement income source.

Furthermore, the study showed that 14 per cent of women expect to rely on their partner to help fund their later years, compared to five per cent of men.

The survey also delivered a blow to the government's National Employment Savings Trust (Nest) - a low-cost pension scheme set up to help deliver auto-enrolment - with just four per cent expecting Nest to form part of their pension income.

Karen Barrett, chief executive at unbiased.co.uk, urged consumers not to rely solely on their state pension to fund their retirement.

She said: "We all have to take ownership of our own financial future and plan for our income in retirement accordingly, whether it is through just putting money into a savings account or actively contributing to a private pension.

"There are many benefits of saving into a pension scheme, and the tax benefits associated with paying into a pension compared to other savings vehicles can be an important factor to consider."

Ms Barrett added that an independent financial adviser can help consumers review their overall financial situation and develop a tailored retirement savings solution for them.