Chapter 6 of 10 in the Personal Finance Curriculum.

Chapter 6

Retirement & Beyond

Turn your wealth into lasting income.

What you'll learn

  • How UK pensions work - workplace, SIPPs, and state pension
  • How to plan drawdown sustainably
  • The psychology of spending in retirement
UK Pensions Explained

UK Pensions Explained

Article

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

10 min read
Beginner
SIPP vs Workplace Pension

SIPP vs Workplace Pension

Article

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

8 min read
Intermediate
ISA vs Pension

ISA vs Pension

Article

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

10 min read
Intermediate
Salary Sacrifice Pension UK

Salary Sacrifice Pension UK

Article

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

9 min read
Intermediate
Lifetime ISA UK Guide

Lifetime ISA UK Guide

Article

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

10 min read
Intermediate
The Hidden Costs of Early Retirement

The Hidden Costs of Early Retirement

Article

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

10 min read
Intermediate
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Pension Tax-Free Lump Sum and Mortgage

Pension Tax-Free Lump Sum and Mortgage

Article

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

7 min read
Intermediate
The Decumulation Trap

The Decumulation Trap

Article

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

8 min read
Intermediate
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How Much Do I Need to Retire UK?

How Much Do I Need to Retire UK?

Article

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

9 min read
Intermediate
Beyond the 4% Rule

Beyond the 4% Rule

Article

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

9 min read
Advanced
Sovereignty in the Silver Years

Sovereignty in the Silver Years

Article

Building independence beyond the state pension.

7 min read
Intermediate
State Pension Forecast UK

State Pension Forecast UK

Article

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

9 min read
Beginner
Annuity vs Drawdown UK

Annuity vs Drawdown UK

Article

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

10 min read
Intermediate
The 60% Tax Trap

The 60% Tax Trap

Article

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

9 min read
Intermediate
Pension Carry-Forward & Tapered Allowance

Pension Carry-Forward & Tapered Allowance

Article

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

10 min read
Advanced

Knowledge check

Test what you learned

  1. 1. A key advantage of a workplace pension is that:

  2. 2. A core difference between an ISA and a pension is that:

  3. 3. "Sequence of returns risk" in retirement refers to: