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Getting information and help with pensions

Information about the different types of pensions is available free of charge from several organisations. Some have advisers who will help you understand your pension options. For advice tailored specifically to your needs, you should consider speaking to an authorised financial adviser, but you may have to pay for their advice.

General information

General pension information is available from The Pensions Advisory Service, The Pensions Service and from the Financial Services Authority (FSA).

The Pensions Advisory Service

The Pensions Advisory Service provides information about personal and company pension schemes. For free and confidential advice, you can call the helpline or visit its website. The Pensions Advisory Service is particularly useful if you have a complaint about your pension arrangement and need help dealing with it.

Financial Services Authority (FSA)

The FSA regulates financial services in the UK. It also produces free, easy-to-understand information on a wide range of topics including pensions.

Firms selling and providing advice on things like pensions must be authorised by the FSA. You can check that a firm is authorised by using the FSA register.

The Pension Service

The Pension Service provides information on State and private pensions and other benefits you may be eligible for on retirement.

You can contact the Pension Service for further information on these subjects.

Charities

Some charities will also provide help understanding pensions such as:

Finding out about your State Pension

Information about your State Pension will depend on how close you are to retirement:

If you're not yet receiving a State Pension

A State Pension forecast gives you an estimate of how much State Pension you can expect to receive at State Pension age based on the current information about you.

If you are a member of a company or personal pension scheme, the scheme administrators may also be able to provide you with this information.

If you're about to start claiming the State Pension

The Pension Service should send you a letter together with an explanatory leaflet four months before you reach State Pension age.

If you haven't received the letter within three months of pension age you can:

Information about your company or personal pension

Your company pension scheme administrators

Your company pension scheme will be run by administrators or trustees who can provide you with specific advice about your employer's scheme. They'll also be able to provide you with a pension forecast, which will give you an estimate of how much your pension is likely to be when you retire. They may be able to provide you with an estimate of what you will get from your State Pension as well.

Your personal pension scheme provider

Personal pension schemes, including stakeholder pension schemes, are provided by financial institutions such as insurance companies, banks and building societies. You can ask your personal pension scheme provider for specific information about your pension. You can also request a pension forecast, which will provide an estimate of how much your pension fund will be when you retire. They may also be able to provide you with an estimate of what you will get from your State Pension.

Problems with your personal pension or company pension

If you have a problem with your personal pension you should discuss it with your pension scheme provider. If you are in a company pension scheme, discuss it with the scheme administrators.

If you are unable to resolve the issue, or want further advice, you should discuss it with The Pensions Advisory Service. Their helplines are staffed by independent pension professionals and their service is free.

The Pensions Advisory Service will advise you if you should take your case to The Pensions Ombudsman who looks into complaints and disputes about the way pension schemes are run and can settle disputes.

Pension Tracing Service

If you have lost track of a personal or company pension scheme and are not sure of the details, the Pension Tracing Service can usually help to trace it for you.

If you would like the Pension Tracing Service to trace a pension for you, you can contact them on 0845 6002 537 (lines are open 8.00 am to 6.00 pm Monday to Friday), by textphone on 0845 3000 169; international number +44 185 176 7476, or by completing an online application form through The Pension Service website.

Authorised pensions advisers

For advice tailored specifically to your needs, you should consider speaking to an authorised financial adviser. Some advisers charge a fee; others receive commission from the pension provider.

Check that an adviser is authorised by the FSA. If you take out a pension without taking advice from an authorised adviser you have fewer rights if it turns out to be unsuitable.

More useful links

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