Retirement Planning Insights
Practical advice about retirement planning, pension calculations, and financial decision-making. Written for real people facing real retirement challenges.
Spend My Pension Team
11 min read
30 March 2026
SIPP vs Workplace Pension: Which Is Better?
Should you stick with your workplace pension or open a SIPP? The answer for most people is both — here's how to use each effectively, the real cost comparison, and when to consolidate.
Spend My Pension Team
10 min read
23 March 2026
The £100k Tax Trap: Why Earning More Can Leave You Worse Off
Earn between £100,000 and £125,140 and you could face a 60% effective tax rate. Here's how the trap works, why it matters for retirement planning, and how pension contributions can help you escape it.
Spend My Pension Team
11 min read
16 March 2026
What Happens to Your Pension When You Die? UK Rules Explained
Can your family inherit your pension? The answer depends on your age, pension type, and who you've nominated. Here's exactly what happens to pensions when you die in the UK.
Spend My Pension Team
9 min read
9 March 2026
How Much Should I Contribute to My Pension? A UK Guide
The auto-enrolment minimum is 8%, but is that enough? Here's how to work out what you should actually be contributing to your pension to retire comfortably.
Spend My Pension Team
12 min read
3 March 2026
What Are Index Funds and Why Do They Matter?
A simple explanation of stock market indices, index funds, and why they beat most active fund managers. Learn the Bogleheads philosophy and understand nominal vs real returns.
Spend My Pension Team
7 min read
3 March 2026
UK State Pension 2026/27: How Much Will You Get?
The full new State Pension rises to £230.25 per week from April 2026. Here's exactly what you'll receive, how qualifying years work, and what to do if you have gaps.
Spend My Pension Team
7 min read
3 March 2026
How to Find Your Pension Numbers
Before you can plan retirement, you need your actual numbers. Here's exactly where to find your pension pot value, contributions, State Pension forecast, and lost pensions.
Spend My Pension Team
8 min read
2 March 2026
What Is a SIPP? How to Get One and How It Works
A Self-Invested Personal Pension gives you full control over your retirement savings. Here's how SIPPs work, who they're for, and how to open one.
Spend My Pension Team
10 min read
1 March 2026
How Pension Drawdown Actually Works: A Step-by-Step Guide
You've saved into your pension for decades. Now what? Here's exactly how drawdown works — crystallisation, tax-free cash, flexible withdrawals, and the choices you didn't know you had.
Spend My Pension Team
8 min read
28 February 2026
Can I Afford to Retire at 60 in the UK?
Retiring at 60 means funding 6+ years before State Pension kicks in. Here's how to work out if your savings can bridge that gap — and what it actually costs.
Spend My Pension Team
8 min read
27 February 2026
Give Yourself a Pension Healthcheck
Most people never check if their pension is on track. Here's a simple healthcheck you can do in 20 minutes to find out where you stand — and what to fix.
Spend My Pension Team
10 min read
25 February 2026
Pension Jargon Buster: Every Term Explained in Plain English
Drawdown, crystallisation, SIPP, annuity, PCLS, UFPLS... the pension industry loves jargon. Here's what every term actually means.
Spend My Pension Team
9 min read
20 February 2026
Pension Drawdown vs Annuity: Which Is Right for You?
Drawdown gives flexibility but carries risk. Annuities give certainty but lock you in. Here's a practical guide to choosing — or using both.
Spend My Pension Team
8 min read
15 February 2026
Why Retirement Calculations Are So Complicated (And Shouldn't Be)
Retirement planning shouldn't require a PhD in mathematics. Here's why the industry has made it unnecessarily complex and what you can do about it.
Spend My Pension Team
7 min read
10 February 2026
The Predictability Problem: Why Pensioners Can't Plan Ahead
From changing state pension ages to volatile markets, modern pensioners face more uncertainty than ever. Here's why traditional retirement advice no longer works.
Spend My Pension Team
6 min read
5 February 2026
Simple Tools for a Complex Financial World
Sometimes the best solution to a complex problem is a simple tool that cuts through the noise and focuses on what really matters.