The Pension Confident Podcast

Hosted by PensionBee

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Aug 2026

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We get it, pensions can be overwhelming. But here at PensionBee, we're on a mission to build pension confidence. That's where The Pension Confident Podcast comes in. With the help of financial experts, we dig into topics that really matter - from the basics of how pensions, ISAs and mortgages work, to how you can start to use your money to save for a happy retirement. Subscribe today to hear from some of the best brains in personal finance and get expert insights from the PensionBee team. Shortlisted at The British Podcast Awards 2026.

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August 20, 202614 min

BONUS EPISODE: "There's no point being the richest person in the graveyard"

In this bonus episode, we hear from PensionBee customer Andy as he shares his pension story. From two decades living and working abroad and untangling the dormant pensions he left behind, to returning to the UK and working out what "enough" really means when you're planning around a Multiple Sclerosis (MS) diagnosis. We unpack Andy's pension journey with pensions expert Veronica Morozova from PensionBee, covering: why finding and consolidating old pensions matters, especially after working overseas; what 'QROPS' is, and how time spent abroad affects your State Pension; the tax benefits of paying into a pension through your own limited company; and how to plan for a range of retirement scenarios, including future care costs. Episode breakdown 00:51 Meet Andy 04:12 Consolidating pensions and working abroad 08:13 Tax relief and self-employment 11:31 Planning for an uncertain future Further reading and listening To learn more about the topics discussed in this bonus episode, check out these articles and podcasts from PensionBee: Episode transcript (Blog) E15: How can we achieve financial inclusion? (Podcast) How to transfer an overseas pension to the UK (Article) Markets and tariffs: what's going on and what it means (Blog) Overseas pension transfers (Article) Pension tax relief and the tapered annual allowance for high earners (Article) The lump sum allowance, lump sum death benefit allowance, and overseas transfer allowance (Article) What happens to my pension if I move abroad? (Article) What is the State Pension? (Article) Other useful resources Check the recognised overseas pension schemes notification list (GOV.UK) Check your State Pension forecast (GOV.UK) Pension Tracing Service (GOV.UK) When the council might pay for your care (NHS) 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 .

August 10, 20262 min

TRAILER: The Pension Confident Podcast Series Five summer trailer

It's time for your Series Five rewind and sneak peek at what's coming up on The Pension Confident Podcast. If you missed an episode, don't worry, you can catch up on every single episode so far wherever you get your podcasts: E46: How to bounce back from redundancy E47: The 'Singles Tax' - how much is it costing you? E48: Are you ready for the 'great wealth transfer'? E49: Can you still make money as a Buy-to-Let landlord? E50: Starting a pension from £0 at 50 years old E51: How to resist lifestyle creep E52: Is it worth getting married? And there's plenty more where that came from. Later this month, Series Producer Lucy Greenwell joins our Host Philippa Lamb to pick out the best bits from our Series 5 guests (so far). Then, coming up in September: What might be missing from your investment portfolio? We'll be joined by: Content Creator ' That Money Guy ', Gabriel Nussbaum; Founder and CEO of rainchq , Davinia Tomlinson; and Senior Investment Content Manager at PensionBee , Matt Batsman. You can read the episode transcript here. 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 .

July 27, 2026Episode 5231 min

E52: Is it worth getting married? With Mike Donkor, Philippa Dolan and Jasper Martens

For the first time ever, fewer than half of UK adults are married or in a civil partnership, yet the law hasn't caught up with how many of us now live together instead. So, legally and financially, is it still worth getting married? Join our host, Philippa Lamb, and our expert panel as they discuss whether marriage still pays off financially and legally, and what unmarried couples need to put in place instead: Financial Planner, Mike Donkor ; Solicitor and Partner at Collyer Bristow , Philippa Dolan ; and Chief Marketing Officer at PensionBee , Jasper Martens . Episode breakdown 01:18 Why marriage rates are falling 05:44 The financial perks of marriage 09:04 When unmarried couples split 12:41 Avoiding the money conversation 16:20 How are pensions shared 19:28 Who gets the pets? 21:15 Protecting your partner with a will 24:22 Cohabitation Agreements and annual reviews 28:48 A fairer end to relationships Further reading and listening To learn more about managing money in a couple, check out these articles and podcasts from PensionBee: Episode transcript (Blog) E14: What's the impact of your relationship status on your finances? (Podcast) E35: The cost of divorce (Podcast) How does divorce or remarrying affect your pension? (Article) Pension beneficiaries (Article) Six money conversations you need to have with your family (Blog) Why pensions deserve your attention during divorce (Blog) Writing a will (Article) Other useful resources A fairer end to relationships: consultation (GOV.UK) Capital Gains Tax allowances (GOV.UK) Cohabitation Agreement guidance (The Law Society) Families and households in the UK (Office for National Statistics) Inheritance Tax (GOV.UK) Marriage Allowance (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 . Follow Collyer Bristow (@Collyer_Bristow) on YouTube , Instagram , LinkedIn , Facebook and X . Follow Mike Donkor (@michaelgdonkor) on TikTok , Instagram , LinkedIn and Facebook . 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 .

July 16, 202614 min

BONUS EPISODE: "I put my money where my mouth is"

In this bonus episode, we hear from PensionBee customer Sally as she shares her pension story. From decades of putting money into living over saving, and losing her husband suddenly in his 40s, to retirement in her 60s and choosing a pension plan that truly reflects her values. We unpack Sally's pension journey with pensions expert Veronica Morozova from PensionBee, covering: why financially literate people still don't save; how emotional barriers can be a bigger obstacle than lack of information; the tax benefits of saving into a pension; and what values-based investing actually means in practice. Episode breakdown 00:39 Meet Sally 02:48 'Present bias' and money 06:10 Tax efficiency in retirement 10:11 Values-based investing Further reading To learn more about the topics discussed in this bonus episode, check out these articles from PensionBee: Climate Plan (Web) What do heatwaves have to do with your pension? (Blog) What is a crystallised pension? (Article) What is flexi-access drawdown? (Article) Why reaching net zero is cheaper than doing nothing and what it could mean for your pension (Blog) 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 .

July 6, 202612 min

BONUS EPISODE: How does market volatility shape your pension pot?

Market volatility is back in the headlines, and if you've noticed your pension balance moving up and down, you're not alone. From tariffs to geopolitical tensions, there's no shortage of reasons to feel uneasy. But before you rush to make any changes, it's worth understanding how volatility actually works and why, more often than not, staying put is the smartest move. Join our host, Philippa Lamb, and VP Personal Finance at PensionBee, Maike Currie as they discuss: what market volatility is and what drives it; why pension pots are more resilient than you might think, and how quickly markets have historically recovered; why keeping up contributions during a downturn can actually work in your favour; and how to check whether you're in the right plan for your life stage. Episode breakdown 00:49 What's market volatility? 03:21 How far can a pension balance fall? 05:25 The investor upside of a market downturn 08:32 How quickly can markets recover? 09:55 Pension plans for different life stages Further reading and listening To learn more about investing and stock markets, check out these articles and podcasts from PensionBee: Bonus episode: How much can you contribute into your pension each year? (Podcast) E39: Trump, tariffs and what it all means for your pension (Podcast) Markets and tariffs: what's going on and what it means (Blog) Switching plans in volatile markets: what to know (Blog) The power of regular contributions in volatile markets (Blog) Understanding market volatility and pensions (Blog) What is the stock market? (Article) Other useful resources Bull and bear markets explained (Investopedia) Fed History Overview (Federal Reserve History) Our pension plans (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 . 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 .

June 28, 2026Episode 5130 min

E51: How to resist lifestyle creep with Clare Seal, Edoardo Moreni, and Alex Langley

Are you earning more than you were five years ago but still don't feel better off? You might be experiencing 'lifestyle creep'. The subtle way spending expands to quietly swallow every pay rise, bonus, and promotion. From Ocado upgrades and subscription sprawl to beauty routines that keep growing, lifestyle creep is surprisingly easy to fall into and remarkably hard to spot. Join our host, Philippa Lamb, and our expert panel as they discuss how to identify, resist, and even reverse lifestyle creep: Content Creator, Clare Seal; Co-Founder and CEO of Emma , Edoardo Moreni; and Head of Customer Success Team at PensionBee, Alex Langley. Episode breakdown 01:38 What is lifestyle creep? 05:23 Trigger points and the psychology of spending more 09:41 Supermarket upgrades and the subscription trap 13:17 Being intentional and auditing your spending 16:05 The real pension cost of lifestyle creep 19:20 How to cut back without making life miserable 21:31 Building resilience and talking about money 26:12 Budgeting frameworks and tools that work Further reading, listening and watching To learn more about lifestyle creep and how to manage your money, check out these articles, podcasts and videos from PensionBee: E37: The easiest way to retire with more money (Podcast) 50-30-20: How the budgeting 'rule of thumb' is changing in the face of the cost of living crisis (Blog) How much should I pay into my pension? (Article) Six ways to put together your emergency fund (Blog) The power of 1%: how small pension increases can make a big difference (Blog) What is compound interest? (Video) Increasing your pension contributions (Video) Other useful resources Compound Interest Calculator (The Calculator Site) Pension Calculator (PensionBee) Subscription service statistics (Finder) The Retirement Living Standards (Pensions UK) The Cost of Disengagement (PensionBee) UK financial outlook 2026 (YouGov) 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 Clare Seal (@clare.seal) on TikTok , Instagram , LinkedIn and X . Follow Emma App (@emma_finance) on TikTok , 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 .

June 18, 202620 min

BONUS EPISODE: "I've often said that I retired when nobody wanted me anymore"

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 .

June 8, 202610 min

BONUS EPISODE: Should you buy Premium Bonds or save into a Cash ISA?

Premium Bonds and Cash ISAs are two of the most popular savings options in the UK, but which one is right for you? With interest rates fluctuating and the cost of living still a real concern, it's more important than ever to make your savings work as hard as possible. Join our host, Philippa Lamb, and VP Personal Finance at PensionBee, Maike Currie as they discuss: how Premium Bonds work, including the odds, limits, and why there's no guaranteed return; how Cash ISAs compare on interest rates, access, and tax efficiency; and who should consider which option, and whether holding both makes sense. Episode breakdown 00:45 How Premium Bonds work 02:41 The catch with Premium Bonds 05:05 How Cash ISAs work 07:00 Tax considerations 07:35 Which is right for you? Further reading and listening: To learn more about Premium Bonds and Cash ISAs, check out these articles and podcasts from PensionBee: How does inflation affect pensions? (Blog) Inflation Calculator (Calculator) What are Premium Bonds? (Article) What is a Cash ISA? (Article) What to do when interest rates rise (Blog) E29: Pensions vs. cash - which is best? (Podcast) Other useful resources Premium Bonds prize rate and odds (NS&I) Tax-free interest on savings (GOV.UK) Barclays Equity Gilt Study 2025 (Barclays) 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 .

May 24, 2026Episode 5029 min

E50: Starting a pension from £0 at 50 years old with Hannah Martin, Simonne Gnessen and Sarah Durber

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 .

May 14, 202617 min

BONUS EPISODE: "As soon as I left that job, the pension stopped"

On this bonus episode, we hear from PensionBee customer Becca. Auto-enrolled into her first workplace pension, she assumed retirement saving would always just happen in the background. Then she went self-employed, and for eight years, it didn't happen at all. We explore the self-employed pension gap with the help of pensions expert Dani Skerrett, Head of Content Marketing at PensionBee, covering everything from why Auto-Enrolment leaves millions of freelancers and sole traders behind, to the surprising cost of those years of disengagement. We also share how contributing just £30 a month can make a difference of thousands of pounds by retirement. Episode breakdown 00:34 Meet Becca 03:30 The self-employed pension gap 06:19 What stops self-employed people saving? 09:43 The cost of disengagement 14:26 Becca's belief in teaching kids about money Further reading and listening To learn more about the topics discussed in this bonus episode, check out these articles and podcasts from PensionBee: E8: How to teach kids about money (Podcast) E37: The easiest way to retire with more money (Podcast) E40: The ADHD tax - how much is it costing you? (Podcast) 6 pension tips for sole traders (Blog) How to manage pension contributions from multiple incomes (Blog) Private pensions for the self-employed (Article) What is Making Tax Digital and how can sole traders prepare? (Blog) What pension can I get if I'm self-employed? (Article) Other useful resources Pension Calculator (PensionBee) Retirement Living Standards (Pensions UK) Working for yourself (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 .