The Pension Confident Podcast

In this bonus episode, we hear from PensionBee customer Nigel. Now 76 and retired, he spent decades commuting into Central London, raising two children, and telling himself he'd sort his pension "someday". A bad experience with an active fund manager and an IFA changed all that - and a tip from his son led him to PensionBee. We unpack Nigel's pension journey with pensions expert Dani Skerrett from PensionBee, covering the tax benefits of saving into a pension, when a financial adviser is (and isn't) worth it, how to think about how much you actually need in retirement, and what life in drawdown really looks like day-to-day. Episode breakdown 00:48 Meet Nigel 03:19 The tax benefits of saving into a pension 06:47 Should you use a financial adviser? 12:11 How much do you actually need for retirement? 16:12 Nigel's life in retirement Further reading and listening To learn more about the topics discussed in this bonus episode, check out these articles and podcasts from PensionBee: E43: Who wants to be a pension millionaire? (Podcast) E37: The easiest way to retire with more money (Podcast) 4 smart ways to use your ISAs in retirement (Blog) Independent Financial Adviser fees on pensions (Article) What is a crystallised pension? (Article) What is flexi-access drawdown? (Article) What is the 4% rule for withdrawals in retirement? (Article) Other useful resources Pension Calculator (PensionBee) Retirement Living Standards (Pensions UK) Taking money from your pension just got simpler with Automatic withdrawals (PensionBee) The new State Pension (GOV.UK) Catch up on the latest news, read our transcripts or watch on YouTube: The Pension Confident Podcast The Pension Confident Podcast on YouTube Follow PensionBee (@PensionBee) on TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, X and Threads. Enjoying the podcast? Tell us what you think below and give us a review or rating. As always we'd love to hear your suggestions and feedback. Send us an email: podcast@pensionbee.com.

An estimated 7 million people aged over 50 in the UK have no private pension savings at all. Here's the reality: if you're one of them, it can feel too late to start. It isn't. Whether it's career breaks, the cost of living, a divorce, or simply never getting round to it - millions of people reach 50 with little or nothing put away. So how do you go from £0 to a pot that actually makes a difference? Join our host, Philippa Lamb, and our expert panel as they discuss starting a pension from scratch at aged 50: Founder of Rich Retiree, Hannah Martin; Founder of Wise Monkey Financial Coaching, Simonne Gnessen; and VP Customer Success at PensionBee; Sarah Durber. Episode breakdown 01:41 When did our panellists start saving? 03:31 Why so many people reach 50 with no pension 06:56 The real cost of opting out 11:16 Pension Sharing Orders and divorce 13:11 How to start from £0 at 50 years old 17:27 Making the most of your workplace pension 19:26 How contributing just a little more adds up 26:26 Property, side hustles, and creative retirement strategies Further reading, listening and watching: To learn more about building your pension later in life, check out these articles and podcasts from PensionBee: E37: The easiest way to retire with more money (Podcast) How much should I pay into my pension? (Article) Pension Sharing Order (Article) What is compound interest? (Blog) Six ways to put together your emergency fund (Blog) I'm 40, is it too late to start a pension? (Blog) How to grow your pension in your 40s and 50s (Blog) The power of 1%: how small pension increases can make a big difference (Blog) What is compound interest? (Video) What happens to my pension during a divorce? (Video) Increasing your pension contributions (Video) Other useful resources The Cost of Disengagement (PensionBee) The Carer's Pension Gap (PensionBee Pension Calculator (PensionBee) Almost 7 million over-50s have no private pension (Pensions Age) The Retirement Living Standards (Pensions UK) Pension sharing orders slump despite growing number of divorces (Pensions Age) Four out of five Brits plan to downsize to fund retirement (MoneyWeek) Rent a room in your home: the Rent a Room Scheme (GOV.UK) Proposed benefit and pension rates 2026 to 2027 (GOV.UK) Compound Interest Calculator (The Calculator Site) Catch up on the latest news, read our transcripts or watch on YouTube: The Pension Confident Podcast The Pension Confident Podcast on YouTube Follow PensionBee (@PensionBee) on TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, X and Threads. Follow Rich Retiree (@rich.retiree) on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook and Pinterest. Follow Wise Monkey Financial Coaching (@simonnegnessen) on YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook and X. Enjoying the podcast? Tell us what you think below and give us a review or rating. As always we'd love to hear your suggestions and feedback. Send us an email: podcast@pensionbee.com.

Happy New Year from all of us at The Pension Confident Podcast. Every month, with expert guests, we dig into those money and pension questions that can feel so complicated. We just lay out the answers in simple, jargon-free language. There'll also be bonus content throughout the year to keep you up to speed on everything from stock market trends to Downing Street decisions. Plus, we'll be hearing from savers just like you. The first episode of 2026 will be live at the end of this month, and with change in the air, it's all about bouncing back from redundancy. As our experts will give tips for how to turn a set back into a step up on the career ladder. Catch up on the latest news, read our transcripts or watch on YouTube: The Pension Confident Podcast The Pension Confident Podcast on YouTube Follow PensionBee (@PensionBee) on TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, X and Threads. Enjoying the podcast? Tell us what you think below and give us a review or rating. As always we'd love to hear your suggestions and feedback. Send us an email: podcast@pensionbee.com.

Enjoying the podcast? Tell us what you think below and give us a review or rating. As always we'd love to hear your suggestions and feedback. Send us an email: podcast@pensionbee.com. Imagine hitting pause on your career, not decades from now, but far sooner. What would you do with all that freedom? Today we're talking about the rise of micro-retirements, or sabbaticals, as they're better known. It's becoming increasingly popular with Gen Z as a bold way to take control of their time, blending career progression and meaningful rest. Unlike traditional retirement, which often feels like a distant milestone, micro-retirements offer the chance to hit pause regularly. Join our host, Philippa Lamb, and our expert panel as they discuss the rise of micro-retirements: Founder of All Things Money, Ola Majekodunmi; Brand Consultant and Content Creator, Lauren Spearman; and Senior Performance Marketing Manager at PensionBee, Tom Carter. Episode breakdown 02:50 How popular are micro-retirements? 04:50 Making the most of our health capital 08:40 Tips for saving towards two retirements 11:00 Are sabbaticals the cure for burnout? 14:42 Switching off during your sabbatical 18:35 Financial planning for your micro-retirement Further reading, listening and watching To learn more about taking a career break and saving for retirement, check out these articles and podcasts from PensionBee: E26: Are you ready for your 100-year life? (Podcast) E37: The easiest way to retire with more money (Podcast) E38: How to shift careers (Podcast) How to catch up on pension payments (Blog) Is it time to find your new career? (Blog) 5 tips for starting a new job (Blog) 6 steps for making a successful career switch (Blog) 6 ways to put together your emergency fund (Blog) Other useful resources Understanding Sabbaticals: Benefits, Planning, and Career Impact (Investopedia) FIRE Explained: Financial Independence, Retire Early – Rules, Types & Planning (Investopedia) Catch up on the latest news, read our transcripts or watch on YouTube: The Pension Confident Podcast The Pension Confident Podcast on YouTube Follow PensionBee (@PensionBee) on TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, X and Threads. Follow All Things Money (@allthingsmoney_) on TikTok, Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook and X. Follow Lauren Spearman (@spearmanlauren) on TikTok, Instagram and LinkedIn.

Enjoying the podcast? Tell us what you think below and give us a review or rating. As always we'd love to hear your suggestions and feedback. Send us an email: podcast@pensionbee.com. From Buy Now, Pay Later plans to monthly subscriptions, modern conveniences promise to make our lives easier. But these small payments can quietly stack up into a sizable debt that jeopardises our financial future. For example, a £10-a-month streaming service seems harmless, but six months later, you might be paying for five you barely use. Or those 'Buy Now, Pay Later' purchases you thought were manageable could turn into growing debt. Join our host, Philippa Lamb, and our expert panel as they discuss the hidden cost of convenience: Founder of Go Fund Yourself, Alice Tapper; Director at Fairer Finance, Tim Hogg; and Head of Content Marketing at PensionBee, Danielle Skerrett. Episode breakdown: 03:07 Spending season is here 06:23 £30 bill, or pay £10 today? 08:35 It's free for you, but someone's paying 10:12 The evolution of frictionless spending 13:33 Where's the regulation? 17:23 Don't let technology push you into high spending 19:51 Masterclass on proper usage 24:28 Dopamine hit of saving money 27:41 Tips for managing seasonal spending Further reading, listening and watching: To learn more about budgeting and debt, check out these articles and podcasts from PensionBee: Episode 44 transcript (Blog) Bonus episode: six tips for automating your personal finances (Podcast) E40: The ADHD tax - how much is it costing you? (Podcast) E10: What are the effects of debt and what can you do if you find yourself in it? (Podcast) 4 reasons why investing in your pension beats those Black Friday deals (Blog) 5 things I spent money on in my 20s and 30s that cost me greatly (Blog) 50-30-20: How the budgeting 'rule of thumb' is changing in the face of the cost of living crisis (Blog) How much money do you need to retire in the UK? (Article) The effects of debt and how we can break the cycle (Blog) What is the impact of debt on mental health? (Blog) Other useful resources: Buy now, pay later credit: User characteristics and effects on spending patterns (Harvard Business School) Get free debt advice (StepChange) Help with debt (Citizens Advice) How much do we spend during the festive season? (Bank of England) How to save £667.95 in 2025 with the 1p Savings Challenge (MoneySavingExpert) Track your finances and budget app (Emma) Your personal money-saving app (Snoop) Catch up on the latest news, read our transcripts or watch on YouTube: The Pension Confident Podcast The Pension Confident Podcast on YouTube Follow PensionBee (@PensionBee) on TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, X and Threads. Follow Alice Tapper (@gofundyourself) on Instagram, LinkedIn and X. Follow Fairer Finance (@fairerfinance) on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook and X.

Enjoying the podcast? Tell us what you think below and give us a review or rating. As always we'd love to hear your suggestions and feedback. Send us an email: podcast@pensionbee.com. University has never been more expensive. A 2025 report from the Higher Education Policy Institute found that students need £61,000 to have a minimum socially acceptable standard of living over a three-year degree. But even the maximum annual Maintenance Loan available to students from the lowest income households would only cover half this. So who's expected to plug the gap: the students or their parents? Join our host, Philippa Lamb, and our expert panel as they discuss the financial realities new students are facing and how parents can support their children through university. Communications Director at Save the Student, Tom Allingham; Founder of Pennies to Pounds, Kia Commodore; and Engineering Manager at PensionBee, Stewart Twynham. Episode Breakdown: 04:10 What are Tuition and Maintenance Loans? 07:11 How families can navigate university costs 10:54 The impact of household income 15:18 Is university good value for money? 18:15 Price of a pint across the UK 20:28 Can students supplement costs with part-time jobs? 22:00 Should parents pay for their kids to go to university? 23:51 Financial health check for parents 28:04 How can student finance be improved? Further reading, listening and watching: To learn more about supporting students at university, check out these articles, podcasts and videos from PensionBee: Episode 42 transcript (Blog) E41: How can multi-generational living save you money? (Podcast) E28: The Bank of Mum and Dad - what's the impact on your pension? (Podcast) 5 tips for parents paying for university (Blog) Building your family's financial resilience (Video) Is it better to pay off your student loan or top up your pension? (Blog) Retirement planning in your 50s (Article) Should you pay off your child's student loan? (Blog) Starting a pension at 50 (Blog) Other useful resources: Changes to tuition fees: 2025 to 2026 academic year (GOV.UK) Mapped: The price of a pint across the UK (The Independent) Parents' guide to university 2025 (Save the Student) Student finance for undergraduates (GOV.UK) Student living costs in the UK 2025 (Save the Student) Student Money Survey 2024 Results (Save the Student) The impact of undergraduate degrees on lifetime earnings (IFS) The UK Pension Landscape (PensionBee) Catch up on the latest news, read our transcripts or watch on YouTube: The Pension Confident Podcast The Pension Confident Podcast on YouTube Follow PensionBee (@PensionBee) on TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, X and Threads. Follow Save The Student (@SaveTheStudent) on TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook and X. Follow the Pennies To Pounds (@penniestopound) on TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook and X.

Enjoying the podcast? Then don't forget to rate and give us a review! As always we'd love to hear your suggestions and feedback. Send us an email: podcast@pensionbee.com. We're taking a short break over August, but we'll be back in September with brand new Series Four episodes and bonus content. We've covered a lot of ground already this year, everything from relationships, to AI and tech, the economy and - clue's in the title - pensions. If you missed one earlier in the year, don't worry, you can catch up on every single episode so far wherever you get your podcasts: E35: The cost of divorce E36: Is my pension funding climate change? E37: The easiest way to retire with more money E38: How to shift careers E39: Trump, tariffs and what it all means for your pension E40: The ADHD tax - how much is it costing you? E41: How can multi-generational living save you money? So join us as we bust industry jargon, dispel myths and challenge the stereotypes that can make it so hard for us to feel really financially confident. Catch up on the latest news, read our transcripts or watch on YouTube: The Pension Confident Podcast; and The Pension Confident Podcast on YouTube. Follow PensionBee (@PensionBee) on TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, X and Threads.

Enjoying the podcast? Tell us what you think below and give us a review or rating. As always we'd love to hear your suggestions and feedback. Send us an email: podcast@pensionbee.com. For this special bonus episode, we're looking at how automation can help you manage your personal finances. Standing orders, calendar reminders and apps - they can all save us time and make sure we keep our payments and savings on track. We've gathered six top tips and insights from our guests to help you get your finances in order. Join our host, Philippa Lamb and our expert guests to hear the best bits from the following episodes: E13: How does your financial personality impact your relationship with money? With Timi Merriman-Johnson, Emma Maslin and Brooke Day E27: The cost of friendship with Dr. Tara Quinn-Cirillo, Niaz Azad and Brooke Day E31: How can I improve my credit score? With John Webb, Clare Seal and Luis Mejia E32: How to understand your pension balance with Tim Hogg, Faith Archer and Alex Langley E37:The easiest way to retire with more money with Neil Bage, Bola Sol, and Laura Dunn-Sims Episode breakdown: 00:41 Establishing good financial habits 01:28 Sharing expenses 02:14 Automation and credit scores 04:26 Boosting your credit score 06:00 Stress-free retirement planning 07:22 Financial personalities Further reading, listening and watching: To learn more about automation and personal finances, check out these articles and resources from PensionBee: Understanding your money personality (Blog) What are the best mobile apps to save you money? (Blog) Top 10 money apps for your smartphone (Blog) How to talk to friends about money (Blog) How can I improve my credit score? (Blog) How open banking is serving our customers (Blog) How does financial planning change over the course of life? (Blog) Making pension contributions (Pensions Explained) Self-employed pension Pension Calculator (Tool) Other useful resources: The Money Whisperer personality quiz Splitwise How to check your credit report and file disputes (Experian) Why credit scores matter in retirement (Experian) Catch up on the latest news, read our transcripts or watch on YouTube: The Pension Confident Podcast The Pension Confident Podcast on YouTube Follow PensionBee (@PensionBee) on TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, X and Threads.