Guidance and advice

It’s important that you understand your pension and feel confident about making the best decisions for your financial future.

You can find a list of useful sources, detailed below.

If you’re already approaching retirement, you can find more details about the specific help available here. .  

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Gov.uk

If you’re confused about any pensions, tax, or National Insurance issues, you can search the government's website for clear, jargon-free explanations.  

• Learn about tax allowances, codes and refunds
• Find out how you’ll be taxed on your pension
• Read about the State Pension
• Check how National Insurance contributions affect your State Pension

Visit: gov.uk

Money and Pensions Service

Set up by the government, the Money and Pensions Service (MAPS) launched in April 2019, bringing the Money Advice Service, Pension Wise and The Pensions Advisory Service together ​into one organisation. 

• Get access to the information you need to make informed financial decisions

Visit: moneyandpensionsservice.org.uk

Money Advice Service

This free and impartial advice service works with other organisations to help you manage your money.  

• Learn about retirement income choices
• Find tips on budgeting and planning for retirement
• See how auto-enrolment affects you
• Get more information on the State Pension and other benefits

Visit:  moneyadviceservice.org.uk (web chat available)    
 

Pension Wise

If you’re aged 50 or over, you can get free guidance about the different options available to you when you come to use your pension pot at retirement. 

• Get advice face-to-face or over the phone
• Talk about your options and the next steps
• Discover how to avoid scams
• Learn about taxes and fees

Visit: pensionwise.gov.uk
  

The Pensions Advisory Service

You can get free, impartial guidance on a wide range of pensions-related topics (both workplace and personal pensions) from this non-profit-making organisation.  

• Find out about early, flexible and ill-health retirement
• Discover how your pension is affected by death, divorce, child birth, bankruptcy or relocation
• Check how to make a complaint
• Learn about changes in pensions

Visit:  thepensionsadvisoryservice.org.uk (web chat available)
    

Unbiased.co.uk

You can find Independent Financial Advisers (IFAs) in your local area who will help you understand your pension, the options available to you, and how to manage your finances. 

• Find IFAs registered with the Financial Conduct Authority
• Get contact information for IFAs in your area
• Arrange a free pension health check with a financial advisor
• Seek answers to your questions in a live online Q&A

Visit:  unbiased.co.uk (web chat available)