Chapter 6 of 10 in the Personal Finance Curriculum.
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
ArticleA plain-English guide to workplace pensions, SIPPs, and the state pension.

SIPP vs Workplace Pension
ArticleWhich pension type is better for you? A side-by-side comparison.

ISA vs Pension
ArticleTax relief, access rules, and contribution limits - when to prioritise each wrapper.

Salary Sacrifice Pension UK
ArticleCut income tax and NI and avoid the 60% trap by paying into your pension via salary sacrifice.

Lifetime ISA UK Guide
ArticleHow the 25% LISA bonus, age limits, and £450k property cap work, plus the withdrawal penalty trap.

The Hidden Costs of Early Retirement
ArticlePension gaps, NI shortfalls, lifestyle inflation - what most FIRE planners miss.
Pension Match Calculator
See what your employer match is really worth over the long term.
Read the guide
Pension Tax-Free Lump Sum and Mortgage
ArticleShould you use your pension lump sum to reduce your mortgage?

The Decumulation Trap
ArticleWhy spending your money in retirement is harder than saving it.
Drawdown Calculator
Model how long your retirement pot will last with withdrawals, inflation, and state pension.
Read the guide
How Much Do I Need to Retire UK?
ArticleAge-targeted pot sizes for retiring at 55, 60 or 65, with worked numbers and State Pension maths.

Beyond the 4% Rule
ArticleA tailored retirement guide for UK retirees - why 4% may not be right for you.

Sovereignty in the Silver Years
ArticleBuilding independence beyond the state pension.

State Pension Forecast UK
ArticleHow to check your forecast in 2 minutes, what 35 qualifying years really means, and how to fill gaps before they cost you.

Annuity vs Drawdown UK
ArticleHow each option works at 2026 rates, the trade-offs, and why a hybrid often beats picking just one.

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

Pension Carry-Forward & Tapered Allowance
ArticleRoll three years of unused allowance, navigate the £260k taper, and dodge the £10k Money Purchase trap.
Knowledge check
Test what you learned
1. A key advantage of a workplace pension is that:
2. A core difference between an ISA and a pension is that:
3. "Sequence of returns risk" in retirement refers to: