Www.pensionsadvisoryservice.org.uk

Planning for your retirement can often feel daunting, so many people put it off. However, checking in on your retirement plans needn’t be complicated. Taking these five simple steps now can put you on the front foot for later life, they’re all available online at www.yourpension.gov.uk

1 - Check your State Pension forecast The State Pension forms the foundation of your income in retirement. It is a regular payment from the Government that you can claim when you reach your State Pension age. It is based on your National Insurance record. Use the online forecast to see how much pension you could get and whether you can improve it.

2 - Save while you work, and save more if you can

The good news is that if you’re working you’re probably already paying into a workplace pension. And when you pay in, your boss does too. Your pension provider should send you an annual statement each year so you know how much you have saved.

Some pensions will let you increase how much you save, and if you save more, your employer might pay in more too – so your pension pot will grow even faster. If you need any help understanding your pension, then contact The Pensions Advisory Service at call them on 0800 011 3797. or

3 - Try the pension calculator

The Money Advice Service have a pension calculator that can give you an idea of how much you could get when you retire. Make sure you have your annual statements from your pension scheme and a recent payslip to hand.

4 - Track down any lost pensions Try out the Find My Pension Contacts Service (www.gov.uk/find-pensioncontact-details). It can help you find contact details for a lost pension. All you need is your employer’s name or the pension provider name to use the service.

5 - Get help with your retirement options and watch out for scams

If you’re 50 or over then you are entitled to a free guidance session with Pension Wise (www.pensionwise.gov.uk). They can help you make sense of your retirement options and give you information about tax and how to go about getting financial advice. And watch out for scammers trying to get your savings – check in at www.fca.org.uk/scamsmart

Consider carefully how much you need to save for the lifestyle you want when you retire. Your State Pension provides a foundation for your retirement income, but the more you build on it with other savings, the better prepared you’ll be to enjoy your retirement.

For more information on how to get the retirement you want, visit www.yourpension.gov.uk