5. Pensions (Part 1) The Basics

In this episode, we go back to basics and demystify pensions — what they are, how they work, and why they matter more than most of us realise.

If you’ve ever thought pensions were just something for “later”, or felt unsure about how yours actually grows, this episode will help you make sense of it all. We’ll cover:

• What a pension really is (and how it’s different from regular saving)
• How your money is invested through shares, funds, or bonds — and why that matters
• The three main types of pensions: State, Workplace, and Personal
• How contributions, employer top-ups, and tax relief boost your pension over time
• Why investing feels intimidating — and why you’re already doing it through your pension
• A simple first step to start understanding what you already have

By the end, you’ll see pensions not as something distant or complicated, but as one of the most powerful tools for your future — one that’s already quietly working for you.

State Pension Forecast: https://www.gov.uk/check-state-pension

Chapters

• 0:00 Intro & Update
• 0:52 From “enough” to action
• 1:39 What a pension really is
• 3:26 The three main types explained
• 6:37 How pensions grow
• 7:58 Why we’re nervous about investing
• 9:01 Homework