Pensions guides & resources

We’ve compiled a list of pensions guides to help you find the best information based on your individual needs. From learning the very basics, to actionable tips on opening an account, we’ve got you covered.

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Danny Butler

Pension types

Private pension

A private or personal pension is set up on your own. It’s separate from your state pension and any workplace pension. For some people, such as the self-employed, a private pension may be their only option.

Private pension

SIPPs

Self-invested personal pensions (SIPPs) are private pensions where you manage the investments yourself.

SIPPs

State pension

Are you starting to plan for your retirement? If so then it’s great to have all the facts when it comes to your state pension.

State pension

Workplace pension

A workplace, or company, pension scheme is a pension that’s arranged by your employer. It’s different from a private pension, which you choose and pay into yourself.

Workplace pension

Self-employed pensions

Here’s how self-employed pensions work and why the tax breaks make pensions the best way to save for retirement.

Self-employed pensions

Final salary pension

These so-called “gold-plated” pensions guarantee you an income for life based on a portion of your salary. Plus, they usually pay an income to your dependants even after you die. Here’s what you need to know about define benefit pensions.

Final salary pension

Group personal pensions

In this guide we take a closer look at group personal pensions. We also answer common questions like “what are the charges for a group personal pension? and “what will happen to my group personal pension if I change jobs?”.

Group personal pensions

Salary sacrifice pensions

Read on to find out how they work, whether you can get one and whether a salary sacrifice pension is right for you.

Salary sacrifice pensions

Teachers pensions

When you become a teacher, you’ll automatically be enrolled into the Teachers’ Pension Scheme, a type of defined benefit pension that pays you a guaranteed income for life, and a perk that’s well worth having.

Teachers pensions

Auto enrolment

Pension auto enrolment rules have given a boost to our workplace pension rights. In this guide, we take a look at the pension auto enrolment rules.

Auto enrolment

Defined contribution pensions

Read on to find out why it’s usually well worth opening a defined contribution pension.

Defined contribution pensions

SIPPs

Junior SIPPs

They say it’s never too early to start saving for a pension. Junior SIPPs take that concept very literally. They let you open and start paying into a pension scheme for your child from the day they’re born.

Junior SIPPs

Best SIPPs

There’s no defined best SIPP – it completely depends on what you’re looking for and the size of your pension pot. Take a look at some of the ones listed below to see if you can find one to suit you.

Best SIPPs

Having more than one SIPP

Self-invested personal pensions, or SIPPs, can be a good option for those looking for pension flexibility, choice and control. Read on to find out more about the advantages and disadvantages of opening more than one SIPP.

Having more than one SIPP

Best guides

Best pension provider

Here’s what you need to know about when you can get your hands on your pension pot and the different options for doing so.

Best pension provider

Best pension drawdown

Cashing out your pension isn’t simply dipping into a huge pot of money if and when you need it. You have the choice between a number of options including annuities and pension drawdown.

Best pension drawdown

Vs guides

SIPP vs personal pension

This guide explains the differences (and the similarities), and help you understand whether a SIPP vs a personal pension is right for you.

SIPP vs personal pension

State vs private pension

Private pensions are completely separate from the state pension and benefit from generous government tax breaks. We outline the key differences between state and private pensions, and why it can be a good idea to have both.

State vs private pension

Stakeholder vs personal pension

This guide explains the differences (and the similarities), and help you understand whether a SIPP vs a personal pension is right for you.

Stakeholder vs personal pension

Tax guides

SIPP withdrawal rules

Here’s what you need to know about when you can get your hands on your pension pot and the different options for doing so.

SIPP withdrawal rules

SIPP lifetime allowance

Here’s what you need to know about when you can get your hands on your pension pot and the different options for doing so.

SIPP lifetime allowance

SIPP inheritance tax

Here’s what you need to know about when you can get your hands on your pension pot and the different options for doing so.

SIPP inheritance tax

Overpaid pension tax

The risk of overpaying pension tax is highest when you make your first taxable withdrawal. This guide outlines why and how you can reclaim overpaid pension tax.

Overpaid pension tax

Paying national insurance

Worried whether you need to pay national insurance on income from your pension? This guide will set you straight.

Paying national insurance

Pensions and tax

In this guide we explain everything you need to know about pension tax. We also answer common questions like “do I have to pay income tax on my pension?” and “how do I calculate tax on my pension?

Pensions and tax

Are pension contributions taxable?

Find out more about paying tax on your contributions, what your allowances are and how to claim any tax relief you are due.

Are pension contributions taxable?

How to guides

Find old pensions

Here, we explain how to find old pensions, so you can guarantee you get your full entitlement when you retire.

Find old pensions

Consolidate pensions

We explain how to consolidate pensions and the potential benefits of doing so, plus highlight the circumstances in which you almost certainly shouldn’t.

Consolidate pensions

Take money from your pension

Whether you’re wondering about the state pension, a workplace pension, or a personal pension, we explain when and how you can get your hands on your pension savings.

Take money from your pension

Provider reviews

Interactive investor

Stocks and shares individual savings accounts (ISAs) let you invest your savings without paying tax on your profits (up to an annual allowance). They’re worth considering if you have money to put aside each month to invest for the long term.

Interactive investor

PensionBee

Find out what PensionBee’s customers think, plus some pros and cons of PensionBee and information about how much you’d expect to spend in costs with a PensionBee pension.

PensionBee

Wealthify

If you’re looking for an investment platform that handles everything for you, Wealthify might be the kind of thing you’re looking for.

Wealthify

Freetrade

Stocks and shares individual savings accounts (ISAs) let you invest your savings without paying tax on your profits (up to an annual allowance). They’re worth considering if you have money to put aside each month to invest for the long term.

Freetrade

Hargreaves Lansdown

Stocks and shares individual savings accounts (ISAs) let you invest your savings without paying tax on your profits (up to an annual allowance). They’re worth considering if you have money to put aside each month to invest for the long term.

Hargreaves Lansdown

Penfold

Stocks and shares individual savings accounts (ISAs) let you invest your savings without paying tax on your profits (up to an annual allowance). They’re worth considering if you have money to put aside each month to invest for the long term.

Penfold

Moneyfarm

Stocks and shares individual savings accounts (ISAs) let you invest your savings without paying tax on your profits (up to an annual allowance). They’re worth considering if you have money to put aside each month to invest for the long term.

Moneyfarm

AJ Bell

Stocks and shares individual savings accounts (ISAs) let you invest your savings without paying tax on your profits (up to an annual allowance). They’re worth considering if you have money to put aside each month to invest for the long term.

AJ Bell

Saxo Markets

Stocks and shares individual savings accounts (ISAs) let you invest your savings without paying tax on your profits (up to an annual allowance). They’re worth considering if you have money to put aside each month to invest for the long term.

Saxo Markets

Nutmeg

Named after the pungent and warming spice often used to flavour custard tarts and eggnog, Nutmeg is a popular investment app. It offers a huge range of ready-made portfolios with the chance to align your investments with your values.

Nutmeg

Moneybox

Moneybox is a mobile application that lets you save and invest small sums of money. It’s now got a pension product that allows you to combine all of your existing pensions into one pot. Find out what we thought, how much the Moneybox pension costs and some pros and cons of Moneybox.

Moneybox

Plum

Having started life in the UK as a micro-saving Facebook chatbot back in 2017, Fintech challenger Plum now aims to help you make your money go further via its Android or iOS app. In 2021, Plum dipped its first toe into the pension market with the launch of the Plum SIPP.

Plum

All other pension guides

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Written by

Publisher

Danny is a publisher at Finder specialising in insurance and investing. He previously worked at the global insurer Aon and has appeared in national media giving advice on insurance. Danny holds a BA in International Business from the University of Plymouth and has undying loyalty to his average-poor football team, Portsmouth FC. See full bio

Danny's expertise
Danny has written 327 Finder guides across topics including:
  • Car, home and business insurance
  • Helping people save money on their insurance
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