Pension Awareness Day is more than a date in the diary. It’s a reminder to ask: am I on track?
Every year on 15th September, Pension Awareness Day encourages us to pause and take stock.
For many people I meet — whether they’re in Blackheath, Greenwich, or further afield — pensions still feel like a mystery. That’s hardly surprising. Most of us collect several pensions over our careers, the paperwork is often confusing, and the rules seem to change every few years.
But small checks now can give you peace of mind about the bigger picture. Here are four simple questions I encourage clients to ask.
1. Have you tracked down all your pension pots?
If you’ve worked for more than one employer, chances are you’ve got more than one pension. Many people lose track, especially if they’ve moved house and the paperwork hasn’t followed.
One client in Blackheath was amazed to discover a forgotten workplace pension worth tens of thousands. It wasn’t life-changing money, but it was certainly too much to leave behind.*
Tip: The Government’s free Pension Tracing Service can help you find lost pensions.
2. Would consolidation make things clearer?
Managing several small pensions can feel messy. Bringing them together may reduce charges and give you one clearer picture of your retirement savings. But it isn’t always the right move — some pensions have valuable guarantees you wouldn’t want to lose. It’s worth checking before you act.
3. Do you know how your pension is invested?
You don’t need to watch the markets daily. But you should know whether your pension is invested in a way that reflects your goals and your comfort with risk. Adjusting risk up or down at the right stage of life can make a big difference over time.
4. Does your plan reflect your real retirement age?
Providers often assume a default retirement age. If that’s not your reality, your pension could be automatically moved into investments that don’t fit your timeline. A quick check now could avoid unwelcome surprises later.
Why this day matters
Pension Awareness Day is more than a date in the diary. It’s a reminder to ask: am I on track?
Some people come to us worried they’ll run out of money. Others simply want reassurance they can keep living the life they enjoy — or that they’re making the most of an inheritance, bonus, or the sale of a business. Either way, the sense of clarity afterwards is the same: relief.
What’s your next step?
- If you’re unsure whether your pensions are working as hard as you are, let’s talk.
- If you’d simply like reassurance you’re on the right path, we can help with that too.
You don’t need to wait for next year’s Pension Awareness Day to feel confident about your future.
By Daren Wallbank, Chartered Financial Planner and Co-owner, Ginkgo Financial
Disclaimer:
The value of pensions and investments and the income they produce can fall as well as rise. You may get back less than you invested. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results
*This is a composite example, based on real client situations. It’s for illustrative purposes only.
* Approver Quilter Financial Services Sept 2025
