Pension Awareness day, held annually on 15 September, is the start of three days of activities dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of pension planning and saving for retirement.
Pension Awareness* Day is a time to reflect on personal retirement goals and understand the significance of engaging with one's pension scheme. The day encourages individuals to learn about their pension options and make informed decisions about their financial future.
Although the day is mostly aimed at people with defined contribution pensions (the Local Government Pension Scheme is a defined benefit pension), there is still a lot of great and useful pensions information for all.
Key information is shown on the page below.
*Pension Awareness is a key component of the "Pay Your Pension Some Attention" campaign.
Opens in new window Pay Your Pension Some Attention promotion video (YouTube)
Let’s face it, pensions can be a headache, but the thing is, we all know we need one to secure a comfy future. That’s why, we’ve done away with the confusing jargon and tried to inject a bit of fun to the topic. So, print a copy, grab a cuppa, settle in, and let's get this challenge done…
Take the Pensions ChallengeThe popular live shows return from 15th to 17th September, covering everything you need to feel more confident about your pension.
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Monday 15th September, 10 to 10.45 |
Your pension made simple
You’ve got a pension – now what? Pensions can be confusing, but a bit of knowledge can go a long way. Join Clare Moffat and Sarah Pennells from Royal London as they explain how pensions work - from putting money in, to saving tax.
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Monday 15th September, 12.30 to 13.15 |
When can I afford to retire?
Retirement isn’t just a date on the calendar - it’s a major life milestone that deserves thoughtful planning. Join experts from Origen for an insightful session where they’ll unpack the key financial and lifestyle considerations that shape your retirement readiness. Whether you are years away or already picturing life after work, this session will equip you with practical tips and actionable steps to help you feel more confident about your future. Let’s explore what it really means to be ready - and how to get there.
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Monday 15th September, 15.00 to 15.45 |
How is my pension invested?
Curious where your pension contributions go? Join Aon as they explain how your pension is invested, who makes the decisions, and what it means for your retirement. Learn about risk, strategy, fees, and more. Don’t miss it!
This course may be useful if you have a money purchase or defined contribution pension plan on top of your Local Government Pension.
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Tuesday 16th September, 10 to 10.45 |
Finding lost pots and combining them
Have you worked multiple jobs and lost track of your old pensions? You’re not alone. In this show, Kate Smith from Aegon will break down how to trace those lost pension pots and explain why it matters for your future. We’ll also talk about the considerations for combining multiple pensions into one. Combining pensions can be beneficial, but it’s important to carefully compare schemes - especially if any of your pensions have special guarantees or are defined benefit schemes. Join us for simple, practical tips to help you take control of your pension.
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Tuesday 16th September, 12.30 to 13.15 |
5 pension essential need to knows
Join Jenny from MoneyHelper as she shares her 5 powerful pension essentials. She will cover everything from getting started, planning and budgeting, to making the most of free help, and understanding the gender pension gap and the impact of divorce. Don’t miss it!
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Wednesday 17th September, 10 to 10.45 |
The State Pension explained
Confused about how the State Pension works? Join Sir Steve Webb for a clear, jargon-free overview of the UK State Pension system. We’ll cover how it’s calculated, when you can claim it, how you can check your record and what you can do now to boost your future pension. Whether retirement is years away, or just around the corner, this session will help you understand what to expect and how to plan ahead.
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Wednesday 17th September, 12.30 to 13.15 |
Balancing present and future self
In this session, Dr. Tom shares how your mindset shapes your money decisions - especially when thinking about your future self. Studies show that people who feel connected to their future selves are more likely to save, invest, and plan ahead. But it’s also important to spend money on things that bring joy, connection, and meaning right now. Dr. Tom will talk about how to balance your needs today with your goals for tomorrow - so your financial life feels fuller and less stressful.
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East Sussex Pension Fund will be running training courses in 2025 and 2026, to help you understand the LGPS.
Introduction to the Local Government Pension Scheme - Whether you are new to the scheme or been a member for a while this course covers the benefits of being in the LGPS.
Your Pension MOT - A course designed to help you keep up to date and engaged with your pension, with lots of handy tips thrown in.
Preparing for Retirement - This course is for those thinking ahead to retirement who want to understand the process, how benefits are calculated and answers to key retirement questions.
If you want a better understanding of your LGPS pension and your options as a scheme member but you’re pressed for time, the Pensions Made Simple videos are perfect for you! These brief videos provide quick overviews on topics such as ‘How your pension works’, 'Protection for you and your family' and 'Life after work’.
To watch the videos, visit www.lgpsmember.org/help-and-support/videos/
Whether you've just joined or you are about to retire you can find out all about your pension scheme on the ‘Paying in’ page of the East Sussex Pension Fund website.