The Pension Confident Podcast

BONUS EPISODE: "I stopped paying into my pension for 20 years"
 
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On this special bonus episode, we're doing something new! We're going to hear from PensionBee customer, Tara-Jane, as she tells us her pension story in her own words. From starting early at 17 years old, to the impact of ignoring her pension for 20 years - it's been a rollercoaster of retirement decisions.
With the help of pension pro, and VP Brand and Communications at PensionBee, Rachael Oku, we'll unpack the tips you might want to take from Tara-Jane's story. There are useful lessons for every saver in this episode, whichever stage of retirement planning you're at.
 
Episode breakdown
01:22 Starting a pension at 17 years old
05:37 Spending on the present, without saving for the future
09:49 Frustrations with rising State Pension age
13:56 When was the last time you did a pension review?
 
Further reading, listening and watching
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)
E35: The cost of divorce (Podcast)
E34: Unpacking 10 years of pension changes (Podcast)
How do I top up my pension? (Article)
Should I take a lump sum from my pension? (Article)
Starting a pension at 50 (Blog)
What is Auto-Enrolment? (Article)
What is compound interest? (Blog)
Pension Sharing Order (Article)
Should I consolidate my pensions? (Article)
What are pension charges? (Article)
Are high charges eroding the value of your pension? (Blog)
 
Other useful resources
Check your State Pension age (GOV.UK)
Over £50 billion in pension savings at risk of being lost in the UK (PensionBee)
Pension Calculator (PensionBee)
Retirement Living Standards (Pensions UK)
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: [email protected].
 
Happy New Year from all of us at The Pension Confident Podcast. Every month, with expert guests, we dig into those money and pension questions that can feel so complicated. We just lay out the answers in simple, jargon-free language.
There'll also be bonus content throughout the year to keep you up to speed on everything from stock market trends to Downing Street decisions. Plus, we'll be hearing from savers just like you.
The first episode of 2026 will be live at the end of this month, and with change in the air, it's all about bouncing back from redundancy. As our experts will give tips for how to turn a set back into a step up on the career ladder.
 
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: [email protected].
 
On this special bonus episode, we're turning the mic around. We hear from our Host, Philippa Lamb, and Producer, Lucy Greenwell, as they discuss their favourite moments from Series 4 of The Pension Confident Podcast.
We've had some brilliant guests - from divorce lawyers to behavioural experts, authors to financial influencers, along with some of our favourite people from PensionBee HQ. On this episode, we'll hear from:
Author and Founder of Mrs Mummypenny, Lynn Beattie;
Co-Founder at The Divorce Surgery, Harry Gates;
Founder and Editor of Money to the Masses, Damien Fahy;
Founder of Talented Ladies Club, Hannah Martin;
Co-Founder of Startup School for Seniors, Suzanne Noble;
Senior Software Engineer at PensionBee, Anindya Bhattacharyya; and
Behavioural Expert and Co-Founder of Shaping Wealth, Neil Bage.
 
Episode breakdown
02:20 Biggest "I never knew" moment
04:07 Most shocking number
06:01 Surprising money tip
08:34 Funniest episode
10:22 Best episode for beginners
14:12 See you next year, for Series 5
 
Further reading, listening and watching
To learn more about the topics discussed in this bonus episode, check out these articles, podcasts and videos from PensionBee:
Episode transcript (Blog)
E35: The cost of divorce (Podcast)
E37: The easiest way to retire with more money (Podcast)
E38: How to shift careers (Podcast)
E43: Who wants to be a pension millionaire? (Podcast)
Creating a portfolio income in your retirement years (Blog)
Don't divorce your right to a decent pension (Blog)
How much should you save for retirement? (Video)
Pension Calculator (Calculator)
What happens to my pension during a divorce? (Video)
What is compound interest? (Blog)
 
Other useful resources
'Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway' by Susan Jeffers' (Book)
Government's free Pension Tracing Service (GOV.UK)
Pension disengagement could cost you up to £500,000 in retirement (PensionBee)
The Carer's Pension Gap Report (PensionBee)
The UK Pension Landscape (PensionBee)
Your Future Self: How to Make Tomorrow Better Today by Hal Hershfield (Book)
 
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: [email protected].
 
Imagine hitting pause on your career, not decades from now, but far sooner. What would you do with all that freedom? Today we're talking about the rise of micro-retirements, or sabbaticals, as they're better known.
It's becoming increasingly popular with Gen Z as a bold way to take control of their time, blending career progression and meaningful rest. Unlike traditional retirement, which often feels like a distant milestone, micro-retirements offer the chance to hit pause regularly.
Join our host, Philippa Lamb, and our expert panel as they discuss the rise of micro-retirements:
Founder of All Things Money, Ola Majekodunmi; 
Brand Consultant and Content Creator, Lauren Spearman; and
Senior Performance Marketing Manager at PensionBee, Tom Carter.
 
Episode breakdown
02:50 How popular are micro-retirements?
04:50 Making the most of our health capital
08:40 Tips for saving towards two retirements
11:00 Are sabbaticals the cure for burnout?
14:42 Switching off during your sabbatical
18:35 Financial planning for your micro-retirement
 
Further reading, listening and watching
To learn more about taking a career break and saving for retirement, check out these articles and podcasts from PensionBee:
E26: Are you ready for your 100-year life? (Podcast)
E37: The easiest way to retire with more money (Podcast)
E38: How to shift careers (Podcast)
How to catch up on pension payments (Blog)
Is it time to find your new career? (Blog)
5 tips for starting a new job (Blog)
6 steps for making a successful career switch (Blog)
6 ways to put together your emergency fund (Blog)
 
Other useful resources
Understanding Sabbaticals: Benefits, Planning, and Career Impact (Investopedia)
FIRE Explained: Financial Independence, Retire Early – Rules, Types & Planning (Investopedia)
 
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 All Things Money (@allthingsmoney_) on TikTok, Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook and X.
Follow Lauren Spearman (@spearmanlauren) on TikTok, Instagram and LinkedIn.

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: [email protected].
 
Labour said this year's Autumn Budget aims to address an economy that's "not working well enough for working people". But will the changes they've announced leave you better off?
Before Budget day, analysts were estimating that the government was facing a £30 billion shortfall. The challenge for Chancellor Rachel Reeves was to fill that hole while balancing economic growth and fairness.
Join our host, Philippa Lamb, and our expert guest as they unpack exactly what the Chancellor announced and what it means for your savings:
Founder and CEO of Boring Money, Holly Mackay.

 
Episode breakdown:
02:07 Changes to take-home pay and cost of living
04:39 Impact of raised National Insurance and Minimum Wage for employers
07:45 How will homeowners and landlords be hit by the Budget?
10:08 What's been announced about savings, investments and pensions?
13:55 With Christmas around the corner, any good news for families?
 
Further reading:
To learn more about taxes, pensions and savings, check out these articles from PensionBee:
Bonus episode transcript (Blog)
How does inflation affect pensions? (Blog)
Should I pay my bonus into my pension? (Blog)
Sole trader vs limited company: how do the tax savings stack up? (Blog)
Three ways to use your tax-free lump sum (Blog)
What does the Autumn Budget 2025 mean for your pension? (Blog)
What is a salary sacrifice pension? (Article)
 
Other useful resources:
Autumn Budget 2025: A summary (GOV.UK)
Making pension contributions (PensionBee)
What is an ISA? (PensionBee)
What is a Cash ISA? (PensionBee)
What is a Lifetime ISA (LISA)? (PensionBee)
What is a Stocks and Shares ISA? (PensionBee)
What is the State Pension? (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.

Follow Boring Money (@boringmoney) on X, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and LinkedIn.