Pension Advice

Navigating the pension market can be challenging. As fully independent advisers with access to the entire market, we help you understand your options and make the most of your retirement savings.

Understanding your pension options

There are several types of pension available, each with different features and benefits. Understanding which you have and how they work is the first step to making better decisions about your retirement.

State Pension

A regular income from the government based on your National Insurance contributions. The New State Pension requires 35 qualifying years for the full amount. You can defer it to increase your payments.

  • - Based on NI contributions
  • - 35 qualifying years for full amount
  • - Can be deferred for higher payments

Workplace Pensions

Arranged by your employer under auto-enrolment rules. Both you and your employer contribute. These can be Defined Benefit (guaranteeing a specific income) or Defined Contribution (where the final value depends on investment performance).

  • - Employer and employee contributions
  • - Auto-enrolment for eligible workers
  • - DB or DC schemes

Personal Pensions

Private plans you arrange yourself with a pension provider. Particularly useful for the self-employed or anyone wanting to supplement their workplace pension. Includes standard personal pensions and SIPPs.

  • - Arranged independently
  • - Ideal for self-employed
  • - Full range of investment options

SIPPs & pension consolidation

A Self-Invested Personal Pension (SIPP) gives you far greater control and investment flexibility than a standard personal pension. SIPPs allow you to choose from a wider range of investments, including individual shares, bonds, commercial property, and alternative assets.

Self-Invested Personal Pensions

SIPPs offer maximum investment flexibility and are particularly popular with business owners who want to hold commercial property within their pension. The business pays rent to the pension, which is tax-deductible for the company and tax-free within the pension.

  • - Wider investment choices
  • - Can hold commercial property
  • - Greater control over your pension
  • - Higher charges than standard pensions

Pension Consolidation

If you've changed jobs over the years, you may have accumulated multiple pension pots. Consolidating them into one arrangement can simplify management, reduce overall charges, and make it easier to plan your retirement income.

  • - Simplify multiple pension pots
  • - May reduce overall charges
  • - Easier to track and manage
  • - We check for valuable guarantees first

Pension tax relief

One of the biggest advantages of pension saving is the tax relief you receive from the government. Every contribution you make is topped up, effectively giving you free money towards your retirement.

  • Basic rate taxpayers (20%) receive 20% tax relief automatically -- a net contribution of £80 becomes £100 gross in your pension
  • Higher rate taxpayers (40%) can claim an additional 20% back through their tax return
  • Additional rate taxpayers (45%) can claim even more back, making pension contributions very efficient
  • Annual allowance of £60,000 (2025/26) with the ability to carry forward unused allowance from the previous 3 years
  • Employer contributions are an allowable business expense and don't attract National Insurance

How we help

  • Review your existing pension arrangements and assess their suitability, charges, and performance
  • Recommend the most suitable pension product from the entire market for your circumstances
  • Advise on consolidating multiple pensions where appropriate, checking for valuable guarantees first
  • Ensure you're maximising your pension tax relief and making the most of your annual allowance
  • Provide ongoing reviews to keep your pension strategy on track as your life and the markets evolve

Frequently asked questions

What is a pension scheme?
A pension scheme is a retirement savings plan that allows you to accumulate a pot of money to provide you with an income or financial support when you retire. There are several types: the State Pension (provided by the government based on your National Insurance contributions), workplace pensions (arranged by your employer with contributions from both parties), and personal pensions (private plans you arrange yourself with a pension provider).
How much can I contribute to my pension?
For the 2025/26 tax year, you can contribute up to £60,000 gross per year into your pension, or 100% of your earnings if lower. This is known as the annual allowance. Unused allowance from the previous three tax years can be carried forward. Higher earners with adjusted income over £260,000 may have a reduced (tapered) annual allowance, down to a minimum of £10,000.
What types of pension scheme are there?
The main types are Personal Pensions (private plans where contributions are invested), Defined Benefit / Final Salary pensions (guaranteeing a specific income based on salary and years of service), and Defined Contribution / Money Purchase pensions (where the final value depends on contributions and investment performance). Most modern workplace pensions are Defined Contribution.
How do I start a pension?
If you're employed, your employer is legally required to enrol you into a workplace pension under auto-enrolment rules. If you're self-employed or want additional savings, you can set up a personal pension with a provider. We can help you choose the most suitable one based on your circumstances, risk profile, and retirement goals.
What if I have multiple pension pots?
It's very common to accumulate multiple pensions as you change employers. We can review all your existing arrangements, assess whether consolidation would be beneficial (considering charges, performance, and any valuable guarantees), and recommend the best approach. Consolidating can make pensions easier to manage and may reduce overall fees.
What happens to pensions on divorce?
Pensions can be dealt with through pension sharing (a court order transfers a percentage to the other party), pension offsetting (the pension value is offset against other assets like the family home), or pension earmarking (a portion of pension income is directed to the ex-spouse). We provide specialist guidance on pension sharing orders and the division of retirement assets.

Need pension advice?

Book a free, no-obligation consultation and we'll help you make the most of your pension.

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