Oxford pensioners' representatives have given a cautious reaction to a call for a new pensions scheme to include an element of compulsion.

Four organisations -- consumer magazine Which?, Help the Aged, Age Concern and the TUC -- have joined forces to say that employers and employees should be compelled to contribute to a pension, providing an additional pension on top of that provided by the state.

They say Britain is stoking up a pensions crisis, with governments of all parties and employers retreating from providing a decent income in retirement.

Most people cannot afford to save for a pension, they say, and even those that can aren't saving enough.

The group says the current voluntary system is failing, with employers who do provide decent pensions being undercut by those that don't.

Jessie MacLachlan, chairman of Oxford City Pen- sioners' Forum, said: "I think there should be a decent state retirement level so that people are not living in poverty, and I don't know how you compel people to save.

"I am worried about the element of compulsion, but I think it may have to come. I think it's a minefield because many people have gaps in employment. With all the exemptions and special cases it would become very difficult."

Jean Davies, another member of the forum, said that when she worked part-time, she did not realise that she was not in a pension scheme.

She said: "The problem with making it voluntary is that it benefits people who plan ahead, but others miss out. I think many pensioners wish they had been forced to contribute when they were younger."

Mervyn Kohler, of Help the Aged, said: "The existing state pension system is failing to protect pensioners from poverty and does not provide a firm foundation for saving."

Age Concern's director general Gordon Lishman said: "Building a national consensus on pensions which addresses the key principles of reform is crucial.

"A complete overhaul of the system is needed to tackle widespread pensioner poverty, ensure fairness for those on low and modest incomes, and give women and carers the chance to build up a decent retirement income."

TUC general secretary Brendan Barber said a new Independent Pensions Commission should be set up following the model set by the Low Pay Commission, which recommends the level of the national minimum wage.

"If it said we needed further compulsory savings, or a slow phased tax increase as the only way to avoid poverty in old age, then no-one could dismiss it," Mr Barber said.