A plain-English guide to workplace pensions, SIPPs, and the state pension.

Which pension type is better for you? A side-by-side comparison.

Tax relief, access rules, and contribution limits - when to prioritise each wrapper.

Understand what a pension actually is and the three main types you will meet.

Cut income tax and NI and avoid the 60% trap by paying into your pension via salary sacrifice.

How the 25% LISA bonus, age limits, and £450k property cap work, plus the withdrawal penalty trap.

Understand pension tax relief and why it is often called free money on contributions.

Pension gaps, NI shortfalls, lifestyle inflation - what most FIRE planners miss.

Understand the workplace pension, the employer match, and why opting out is usually a costly mistake.

Should you use your pension lump sum to reduce your mortgage?

Why spending your money in retirement is harder than saving it.

Understand the trade-off between an ISA and a pension and a simple way to think about which comes first.

Age-targeted pot sizes for retiring at 55, 60 or 65, with worked numbers and State Pension maths.

Understand what a 401(k) is - the employer-run retirement account funded straight from your paycheck, often with employer money added.

A tailored retirement guide for UK retirees - why 4% may not be right for you.

Building independence beyond the state pension.

Understand what an IRA is - the retirement account you open yourself - and the one distinction that matters, traditional vs Roth.

How to check your forecast in 2 minutes, what 35 qualifying years really means, and how to fill gaps before they cost you.

How each option works at 2026 rates, the trade-offs, and why a hybrid often beats picking just one.

Understand that the employer match is part of your pay, and that contributing below the match cap is accepting a pay cut.

How earning between £100k and £125,140 creates a 60% effective marginal rate, and the salary sacrifice move that escapes it.

Roll three years of unused allowance, navigate the £260k taper, and dodge the £10k Money Purchase trap.

Learn the standard funding order - 401(k) to the full match, then the IRA, then back to the 401(k).