The Pension Confident Podcast

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.   With our busy lives, it’s easy to overlook those annual statements from your pension provider. But knowing how much you have saved is essential for planning a comfortable retirement.   This month on The Pension Confident Podcast we’re talking about how to understand your pension balance. Join our host, Philippa Lamb, and our expert panel as they break down everything from making sense of those annual statements to hunting down lost pension pots. Behavioural Economist and Director at Fairer Finance, Tim Hogg; Financial Journalist and Founder of Much More With Less, Faith Archer; and PensionBee’s Senior Team Leader, Alex Langley.   Episode Breakdown: 01:03 What is a pension balance? 02:50 How to check how much you have in your pension? 04:40 What happens if you’ve lost your pensions? 06:44 Avoiding pension procrastination 10:20 How can you check if you’re on track for retirement? 13:40 The ‘fresh start’ effect 16:40 The Retirement Living Standards 20:31 Overcoming ‘present focus’ 22:12 How can you improve your pension balance? 26:35 Saving for a longer life   Further reading: To learn more about where you could put your savings, check out these articles and podcasts from PensionBee: Episode 32 transcript E29: Pensions vs. cash - which is best? E26: Are you ready for your 100-year life? E18: How to not run out of money in retirement E11: How to prepare for a happy retirement How are pensions invested? How can I find my pensions? How to diversify your pension investments How to look after your financial wellbeing in 2024 Understanding market volatility and how it can impact your pension What is a defined benefit pension? What is a defined contribution pension? What is a pension statement? When will my pension balance recover?   Other useful resources: How do I find lost pensions? (Gretel) Inflation Calculator (PensionBee) Life expectancy calculator (Office for National Statistics) Pension Calculator (PensionBee) Pension Tracing Service (GOV.UK) Temporal focus: Thinking about the past, present, and future (Science Direct) The Retirement Living Standards (Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association) What is the fresh start effect? (The Behavioral Scientist)   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 Fairer Finance (@fairerfinance) on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook and X. Follow Faith Archer (@MuchMoreWith Less) on LinkedIn, Facebook and X.

Enjoying the podcast? Tell us what you think below and give us a rating. As always we’d love to hear your suggestions and feedback. Send us an email: podcast@pensionbee.com.   In this bonus episode of The Pension Confident Podcast, we’re revisiting an important topic - financial scams. According to research by UK Finance, £1.17 billion was stolen through fraud in 2023. So what are the red flags we all need to watch for when it comes to our finances? Tune in to hear the best bits from episode seven, as our host, Philippa Lamb and our expert guests shared their top tips to avoid financial scams and what to do if you think you’ve been a victim. We hear from: Former Chief Executive of The Pensions Advisory Service and Independent Non-Executive Director at PensionBee, Michelle Cracknell CBE; Former Head of Security and Counter Fraud at Open Banking, Lisa Markey; and PensionBee’s CTO, Jonathan Lister Parsons. Episode Breakdown: 01:37 Personal stories from the guests 03:38 The different types of financial scams 05:29 Scams and vulnerable people 06:35 Pension scams 11:15 How to spot the signs of financial fraud 12:44 What to do if you think you might be a victim   Further reading and listening: To learn more about financial scams and protecting yourself and your money, check out these articles and podcasts from PensionBee: Episode transcript  E7: of The Pension Confident Podcast: How to stay safe from fraud and financial scams (Podcast) How to spot a pension scam 4 pension scams to watch out for What is pension liberation? Early pension release rules   Other useful resources: Scams Awareness Campaign (Citizens Advice) Annual Fraud Report 2024 (UK Finance) 'Scam Man and Robbin' game The Money and Pensions Service Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) Types of pension scams (FCA) Protect yourself from scams (FCA) Reporting fraud and cyber crime (Action Fraud)   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 X, YouTube, Threads, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and LinkedIn. Follow Michelle and Lisa on 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: podcast@pensionbee.com.   Most people have heard of the term ‘credit score’ but often that’s as far as it goes. What is your credit score, how is it calculated and why does it even matter?    This month on The Pension Confident Podcast we’re talking about the dark-art of how to improve your credit score. Join our host, Philippa Lamb, and our expert panel as they discuss the ins and outs of our financial history and the impact it can have on our financial future.  Consumer Affairs Manager at Experian, John Webb;  Author, Columnist and Content Creator, Clare Seal; and PensionBee’s VP Data, Luis Mejia.   Episode Breakdown: 01:08 What is a credit score and why does it matter? 05:28 Credit score jargon explained 11:13 How is a credit score calculated? 16:28 How do I know if my credit score is good or bad? 19:36 Spotting and correcting errors in your credit report 20:38 Understanding your credit score 22:05 How to improve your credit score 26:37 Busting credit score myths   Further reading: To learn more about some of the themes discussed, check out these articles and podcasts from PensionBee: Episode 31 transcript E10: What are the effects of debt and what can you do if you find yourself in it? (Podcast) E15: How can we achieve financial inclusion? (Podcast) E23: Common financial mistakes and how to avoid them (Podcast) How can I improve my credit score? Retirement planning in your 20s The importance of financial inclusion What to do with inheritance money Can a guarantor be retired? How to talk about money   Other useful resources: What is a credit score? How is it calculated and what affects it? (Loqbox) Why credit scores matter in retirement (Expedia) Getting to grips with your credit report and score (TransUnion) Credit report errors can ruin your credit score - are your records correct? (Which?) Getting your credit score from a bank (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 Clare Seal (@clare.seal) on Instagram, LinkedIn and X. Follow John Webb on LinkedIn.

Enjoying the podcast? Tell us what you think below and give us a rating. As always we’d love to hear your suggestions and feedback. Send us an email: podcast@pensionbee.com.   In this bonus episode of The Pension Confident Podcast, we’re sharing the best bits from one of our live events - the PensionBee Roadshow. In our Manchester edition, our expert guests shared tips for how you can start preparing for a happy retirement. Tune in to hear from: Financial Journalist and Founder of Much More With Less, Faith Archer; Financial Expert,  Author and Host of The Conversation of Money, Peter Komolafe; Personal Finance Expert and Founder of Pennies to Pounds, Kia Commodore; Personal Finance Expert and Founder of Mr MoneyJar, Timi Merriman-Johnson; and CMO at PensionBee, Jasper Martens.   Episode breakdown: 00:50 Visualising your retirement savings 01:26 Workplace pensions and Auto-Enrolment 02:42 How to stick to your savings goals 03:40 Three ways to boost your pension savings 04:44 Balancing rising costs and saving for your future 05:41 Learning about investments and pensions 06:59 Understanding where your pension is invested 08:02 Pension Wise 08:24 What is pension drawdown? 09:15 Leaving your pension to loved ones   Further reading, watching and listening: How to plan for a happy retirement (YouTube) How to set a good retirement goal (YouTube) What happens at a Pension Wise appointment? (YouTube) Different ways to access your pension pot (YouTube) E18 of The Pension Confident Podcast: How to not run out of money in retirement (Podcast) E11 of The Pension Confident Podcast: How to prepare for a happy retirement (Podcast) E5 of The Pension Confident Podcast: What can we do to cope with the cost of living crisis? (Podcast) How much income do you need in retirement? How much money do you need to retire in the UK? Preparing for retirement checklist What income would a £100,000 pension pot give you? What is Auto-Enrolment? What makes a happy retirement? Pension decumulation Retirement planning in your 20s  Retirement planning in your 30s  Retirement planning in your 40s  Retirement planning in your 50s  Pension rules after death Pension beneficiaries   Other useful resources: Pension Drawdown Calculator (PensionBee) Pension Calculator (PensionBee) Pension Wise (MoneyHelper) Pension Quality Mark - PQM (Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association) Retirement Living Standards (Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association)   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 on X, Threads, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and LinkedIn.

Enjoying the podcast? Then don’t forget to rate and give us a review! As always we’d love to hear your suggestions and feedback. Send us an email: podcast@pensionbee.com. The Pension Confident Podcast is taking a short summer holiday this August, but don’t worry - we’ve got some bonus content coming while you wait for the rest of Series Three! The next bonus episode will be a fantastic conversation from the PensionBee Roadshow last year, all about how you can save for a happier retirement. Plus, look out for part two of our personal finance tips for parents. In the meantime, you can go back and listen to all our episodes so far wherever you get your podcasts. We’ve covered so much already from the Bank of Mum and Dad and the real cost of your friendships, to saving to live to age 100 and how to earn more money. Don’t forget to subscribe to your favourite podcast app so you never miss an episode. 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 on X, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Threads 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: podcast@pensionbee.com.   For many people diligently building their nest egg, the question of money’s link to happiness is a natural one. After all, financial security can reduce a significant source of stress. But can simply having more money guarantee a life filled with joy?   This month on The Pension Confident Podcast we’re talking about the age-old question: can money buy happiness? Join our host, Philippa Lamb, and our expert panel as they discuss the relationship between money and happiness. Author and Co-Founder of The Humble Penny and The Financial Joy Academy, Ken Okoroafor;  Occupational Psychologist and chartered member of the British Psychological Society, Kim Stephenson; and  PensionBee’s Head of Culture, Inclusion and Wellbeing, Emily Tribe.   Episode Breakdown: 01:23 At different ages, different things matter 04:10 Does money equal happiness? 06:30 The source of money changes the equation 10:10 Understanding your appetite for risk 13:57 Maslow’s hierarchy of needs 16:20 Avoiding lifestyle creep and finding joy 19:10 The marshmallow test 23:13 How can you boost your happiness   Further reading: To learn more about where you could put your savings, check out these articles and podcasts from PensionBee: Episode 30 transcript 4 reasons why sorting your pension is important for your health Can money buy happiness? E11: How to prepare for a happy retirement E18: How to not run out of money in retirement E25: How to earn more money How much money do you need to retire in the UK? Is it time to find your new career? Making happiness a habit Preparing for retirement checklist Work doesn’t have to end at retirement - the over-60s make happy entrepreneurs   Other useful resources: 10 Ways Life Is a Marshmallow Test (Psychology Today) Being richer than your peers can make you happier (Financial Accountant) Does money buy happiness, according to science? (Clearer Thinking) Financial Joy by Ken & Mary Okoroafor (Book) Maslow’s Hierarchy Of Needs (Simply Psychology) Pension Calculator (PensionBee) Seligman’s PERMA+ Model Explained: A Theory of Wellbeing (Positive Psychology) What Is Loss Aversion? (Psychology Today)   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 Humble Penny (@TheHumblePenny) on TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook and X. Follow Kim Stephenson (@kimpstephenson) on LinkedIn 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.   Since the start of 2022, the Bank of England has raised the base interest rate 13 times. So it’s no surprise that savers are reconsidering where to put their money. Cash savings are easily accessible but may lose value due to inflation. Meanwhile, pensions offer potential long-term growth but lock away funds until retirement. This month on The Pension Confident Podcast we’re talking about the pros and cons of pensions and cash - how can you make the most of both? Join our host, Philippa Lamb, and our expert panel as they discuss building an emergency fund, making the most of your cash savings and saving for retirement. Founder and CEO of Boring Money, Holly Mackay; and PensionBee’s VP Product, Martin Parzonka.   Episode Breakdown: 01:36 How does inflation eat away at our money? 02:52 Shopping around for the best rate 07:44 Building an emergency fund 10:51 State benefits that are impacted by savings 11:57 What are the rules on cash savings? 16:39 Small steps to save for your future 18:26 Are pensions ‘hot’? 22:36 The case for personal pension saving   Further reading: To learn more about where you could put your savings, check out these articles and podcasts from PensionBee: Episode 29 transcript 5 lessons my cashflow catastrophe taught me 5 ways to protect your pension income against inflation How to diversify your pension investments Pension pot or cash savings - which is best? Should I pay my bonus into my pension? What income would a £100,000 pension pot give you? Will taking my pension affect my benefits? Your guide to Lifetime ISAs (LISAs) and pensions   Other useful resources: Emergency savings – how much is enough? (MoneyHelper) How does inflation affect pensions? (PensionBee) Should I have a savings account or pension? (MoneySuperMarket) What to do when interest rates rise (PensionBee) With cash earning 5%, why risk money on the stock market? (Schroders) Women’s lack of confidence widens gender investment gap (Financial Times)   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 X, Threads, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and LinkedIn. Follow Boring Money (@boringmoney) on X, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook 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: podcast@pensionbee.com.   For many young people, the only way to afford university or to get a foot on the property ladder is with financial support from family members. According to a report by The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS), almost a third of young people receive at least one transfer during their 20s and early 30s - most commonly from a parent.   This month on The Pension Confident Podcast we’re discussing the hot topic of ‘the Bank of Mum and Dad’. Join our host, Philippa Lamb, and our expert panel as they discuss how to talk about money with family, setting healthy boundaries, and strategies for safeguarding your financial future. CEO of The Family Building Society; Mark Bogard; Personal Finance Expert and Founder of Mr MoneyJar; Timi Merriman-Johnson; and PensionBee’s Director (VP) Public Affairs; Becky O’Connor.   Episode Breakdown: 01:46 The Bank of Mum and Dad in practice. 05:10 Planning for predictable financial support. 08:13 Helping financially while your child’s studying. 10:43 Funding your child’s big adult milestones. 14:14 Implications of dipping into your savings. 17:31 Ongoing bankrolling and protecting your financial security. 20:35 Treating children equally or equitably? 22:55 Making sure you’re on the same page. 24:51 A living versus willed inheritance.   Further reading: To learn more about financial relationships with family, check out these articles and podcasts from PensionBee: Episode 28 transcript 5 tips for parents paying for university 7 of the best ways of giving money to grandchildren E8: How to teach kids about money - with Laura Miller, Will Carmichael and Emma Maslin How the Bank of Mum and Dad can boost an adult child’s pension by over £300,000 How to teach kids about money Inheritance Tax guide Pension decumulation aka planning how to spend my pension savings Should I teach my children about money? Writing a will Your guide to Lifetime ISAs (LISAs) and pensions   Other useful resources: Boomerang Children: Meaning, Impact, Around the World (Investopedia) How important is the Bank of Mum and Dad? (The Institute for Fiscal Studies) How Inheritance Tax works (Gov.uk) How to run the Bank of Mum and Dad…The Definitive Guide (Family Building Society) Joint Borrower Sole Proprietor mortgages (Family Building Society) More adults living with their parents (Office for National Statistics) Retirement Living Standards (Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association) The bank of Grandma and Grandad (SAGA) The Carer’s Pension Gap (PensionBee) Who gives wealth transfers to whom and when? Patterns in the giving and receiving of lifetime gifts and loans (The Institute for Fiscal Studies)   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 X, Threads, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and LinkedIn. Follow the Family Building Society (@FamilyBSoc) on X, Facebook and LinkedIn. Follow Timi (@mrmoneyjar) on X, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and LinkedIn.

Enjoying the podcast? Tell us what you think below and give us a rating. As always we’d love to hear your suggestions and feedback. Send us an email: podcast@pensionbee.com.   We all know friendship is priceless, but navigating social circles where some people are a lot better off than others may be a minefield. According to Intuit, Gen Z would rather discuss sex, politics and infertility struggles than their salaries, debt, and bad investments.   So how can you maintain strong friendships while  navigating different bank balances and spending habits? This month on The Pension Confident Podcast we’re looking at the costs associated with friendship. Join our host, Philippa Lamb, and our expert panel as they discuss how to talk about money with friends, overcoming envy and more. This month we hear from: Psychologist and Associate Fellow of The British Psychological Society, Dr. Tara Quinn-Cirillo; Co-Founder of Millennial Money UK, Niaz Azad; and Head of Brand and Communications at PensionBee, Brooke Day.   Episode Breakdown:  01:29 How to discuss money fairly 06:10 Navigating a financial divide 11:20 How friendship expenses can snowball 16:28 Overcoming envy 18:58 As you and your friends get older 22:31 When life throws you curveballs 25:38 Lending money to friends 27:57 Knowing when to let go.   Further reading: To learn more about the cost of friendship, check out these articles from PensionBee: Episode 27 transcript The cost of friendship Bonus episode: Relationships and money How to talk about money Six ways to manage your money and your mental health Six ways to start talking about money What is the impact of debt on mental health?   Other useful resources: How to keep money from tearing your friendships apart (Vox) Is the wealth gap ruining friendships? (Guardian) The transfer of wealth from boomers to ‘zennials’ will reshape the global economy (Financial Times) A third of people are owed money by friends and family (Starling) Nearly 50% of millennials overspend to keep up with friends (Credit Karma) Why the “f*ck it” mentality is harming friendships (Refinery29) Splitwise     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 X, Threads, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and LinkedIn. Follow Millennial Money UK (@MillMoneyUK) on X, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn. Follow Dr. Tara Quinn-Cirillo (@CirilloDr) on X, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.

Enjoying the podcast? Then don’t forget to rate and give us a review! As always we’d love to hear your suggestions and feedback. Send us an email: podcast@pensionbee.com    Part three of our personal finance tips is here! In this bonus episode,our expert guests discuss budgeting, what to know before you get started with investing, plus they share a property mistake you may have made too. Get started on your financial spring cleaning and hear helpful tips from: Personal Finance Expert and Founder of Mrs MummyPenny; Lynn Beattie; Financial Journalist and Senior Digital Editor at MoneyWeek; Kalpana Fitzpatrick; Founder and CEO of Propelle; Ayesha Ofori, Independent Non-Executive Director for PensionBee; Lara Oyesanya FRSA; CMO at PensionBee; Jasper Martens; and CMO at  LifeSearch; Justin Harper.   Episode Breakdown:  00:45 Monthly subscriptions 01:20 Saving little and often 02:13 Saving for your kids 02:49 Getting started with investing 03:50 Investing in property 04:56 The benefits of life insurance.   Read the transcript.   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 on X, Threads, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and LinkedIn.

Enjoying the podcast? Tell us what you think below and give us a rating. As always we’d love to hear your suggestions and feedback. Send us an email: podcast@pensionbee.com. You might be surprised to learn that living to 100 years of age is no longer a rare feat. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed that almost one-in-seven boys and one-in-five girls born today are expected to reach this milestone in the UK. The trend is clear: with advancements in technology and healthcare, a centenarian life is becoming the norm. But what does this mean for our everyday lives, especially in terms of work, planning, and even our mindset? This month on The Pension Confident Podcast we’re discussing the increasing likelihood of the 100-year life. Join our host, Philippa Lamb, and our expert panel as they discuss both the emotional and financial realities of longer living. This month we hear from: Economist and best-selling Co-Author of ‘The 100-Year Life’, Andrew J. Scott; Editorial Director at Noon, Jennifer Howze; and Director (VP) Public Affairs at PensionBee, Becky O’Connor.   Episode Breakdown:  02:20 Rising life expectancy 04:31 Adapting to a multi-stage life 06:03 The emerging adulthood trend 07:59 Saving for retirement 10:01 Portfolio careers in midlife 13:46 Multi-generational households 15:03 How long will people be working for? 18:05 Budgeting your time and money 19:10 State Pension versus Retirement Living Standards 23:29 Investing in your human capital   Further reading: To learn more about the 100-year life, check out these articles from PensionBee: Episode 26 transcript Are you ready for your 100-year life? Can you live off of the State Pension? How much money is enough to save in your pension for your future retirement? How you could build a million pound pension Is it too late to start a pension? 6 reasons why you should delay taking your pension   Other useful resources: British workers increasingly likely to work into their 70s, research suggests (The Guardian) One in six over-55s have no pension savings yet (Unbiased) Queenagers: research portrait of midlife women (Noon) The 100-Year Life – Living and Working in an Age of Longevity     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 X, Threads, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and LinkedIn. Follow Andrew J. Scott (@ProfAndrewScott) on X and LinkedIn.  Follow Jennifer Howze (@jhowze) on X and LinkedIn.

Enjoying our award-winning podcast? Then don’t forget to rate and give us a review! As always we’d love to hear your suggestions and feedback. podcast@pensionbee.com    On this special bonus episode of The Pension Confident Podcast, we look at different relationships and the impact they can have on your finances. Whether you live with a friend, are married or going through a separation, these tips are for you. From property and prenups to credit scores, find out what they all mean for your current relationship status. In this episode, we hear from: This Girl Talks Money Founder, Ellie Austin-Williams; Director (VP) Public Relations at PensionBee, Becky O’Connor; Barrister, Mediator and Family Arbitrator, and a Spokesperson for free legal assistance charity, Advocate, Paul Infield; Personal Finance Expert and Founder of Mrs MummyPenny, Lynn Beattie; Founder of financial literacy platform All Things Money, Ola Majekodunmi; CMO at PensionBee, Jasper Martens; Financial Times Consumer Editor, Claer Barrett; and Head of Communications at the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), Emma Barrow.   Episode Breakdown: 00:58 Moving in with someone who owns a property 03:05 Pensions and divorce 05:29 Prenups and postnups 07:05 Why it’s important to talk about money 07:58 Pension beneficiaries 09:03 Credit scores and relationships. Read the episode transcript.   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 on X, Threads, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and LinkedIn.

Enjoying the podcast? Tell us what you think below and give us a rating. As always we’d love to hear your suggestions and feedback. Send us an email: podcast@pensionbee.com.   January is a time when many of us will naturally be thinking about various hopes and intentions for the year ahead. But what if your ambition is to launch your own business?  Starting a side hustle during a cost-of-living crisis isn’t for the faint of heart. After all, in the UK one in five new businesses fold in their first year, and over half of start-ups don’t make it past five years. But that doesn't mean it's impossible. Join our host, Philippa Lamb, and three fearless entrepreneurs as they discuss real-world tactics for bootstrapping your dream business. This month we hear from: Founder and CEO of Vestpod, Emilie Bellet; Founder and CEO of Sprive, Jinesh Vohra; and CCO at PensionBee, but also Founder of childrenswear business Little Circle, Lisa Picardo.   Episode Breakdown:  01:50 The idea and first steps 09:08 Networking with the competition 11:48 Business planning 15:26 The pros and cons of co-founders 18:04 Managing your money effectively 22:04 Sole trader versus limited company 24:54 Common mistakes and expert advice   Further reading: To learn more about starting your own company, check out these articles from PensionBee: Episode 24 transcript The pros and cons of self-employment What you should know about being your own boss Are the self-employed saving enough for retirement? How to manage your money when you’re self-employed Pension contributions from your limited company Six ways to reduce your tax bill as a limited company Sole trader vs limited company: how do the tax savings stack up?   Other useful resources:  Set up a business (GOV.UK) Online graphic design tool for businesses (Canva) Find the best accountant for your small business (Unbiased) Startup School for Seniors The Business Model Canvas (Strategyzer)     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 X, Threads, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and LinkedIn. Follow Sprive (@SpriveApp) on X, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and LinkedIn.  Follow Vestpod (@Vestpod) on X, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and LinkedIn.

Enjoying our award-winning podcast? Then don’t forget to rate and give us a review! As always we’d love to hear your suggestions and feedback. Send us an email: podcast@pensionbee.com.  Happy New Year from all of us at The Pension Confident Podcast, we hope you had a great break! We’re back for our third series where we’ll be discussing even more personal finance questions plus, we’ll be sharing lots of bonus content throughout the year too. The next episode will be live at the end of January and it’s all about starting your own business. Later on in the year we’ll be looking at the monetary cost of friendship and how you can financially prepare to live to 100. Don’t forget to subscribe to your favourite podcast app so you never miss an episode. 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 on X, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Threads and LinkedIn.

We’re thrilled to announce that the series has won two Lovie Awards! We were recognised in both the ‘Best Series’ and ‘Best Branded Podcast or Segment’ categories. A big thank you to everyone who voted for us! If you didn’t get the chance to vote, why not tell us what you think by giving us a review and a rating? As always, you can send your suggestions and feedback to: podcast@pensionbee.com.    With Christmas around the corner it can be easy to go overboard. Before you know it, you may have spent a little too much and live to regret it come January. We’ve all been there, and we all make other financial mistakes. Sometimes they’re small, like lending a friend a tenner, knowing you’re unlikely to see it again. However, sometimes they can have a much bigger impact. It could be that you’ve bought a property that doesn’t fit the bill, or perhaps you’ve let your debts spiral out of control?  Even the money experts make mistakes and to talk us through theirs, and what we can all learn from our financial failures are:  Personal Finance Expert and Founder of Mrs MummyPenny; Lynn Beattie, Founder of financial literacy platform, All Things Money; Ola Majekodunmi, and CMO at PensionBee; Jasper Martens.    Episode Breakdown:  01:41 Team PensionBee’s financial mistakes  02:46 Shopping mistakes 08:44 Black Friday and other ‘sales’ 11:45 Not paying attention to your finances 12:22 Recurring payments and monthly subscriptions 15:18 Switching bank accounts 18:18 Pension apathy 24:24 Property mistakes 26:52 The effect of relationships on financial decisions.   Further reading: To help you avoid making some of the financial mistakes we talk about in this episode, check out these articles from PensionBee: Episode 23 transcript Common money mistakes and how to avoid them How to check your pension contributions How to save for retirement when ‘future you’ feels like a stranger Rethinking your pension savings during the cost of living crisis Avoid these pension mistakes in your 40s Six ways to start talking about money Five steps to plotting your personal finance roadmap   Other useful resources:  Camelcamelcamel price tracker Idealo price comparison website Current account switch guarantee Switching mobile phone provider (Ofcom)     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 on X, Threads, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and LinkedIn. Follow Ola (@allthingsmoney_) on X, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and LinkedIn. Follow Lynn (@mrsmummypennyuk) on X, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and LinkedIn.

We’re thrilled to announce that the series has won two Lovie Awards! We were recognised in both the ‘Best Series’ and ‘Best Branded Podcast or Segment’ categories. A big thank you to everyone who voted for us!  If you didn’t get the chance to vote, why not tell us what you think by giving us a review and a rating? As always, you can send your suggestions and feedback to: podcast@pensionbee.com    Renting has been a hot topic of debate throughout the cost of living crisis - and with good reason. The cost of privately renting a home has risen every month since November 2021, with the average price now 12% higher than this time last year. In this episode we take a look at the reasons behind this, what your rights are as a tenant or a landlord, and what needs to change to improve the housing market for everybody. Helping us to do so with their expertise are:  Policy Officer for Shelter; Jenny Lamb; Deputy Editor for Property at The Times ; David Byers, and Director (VP) Public Affairs for PensionBee; Becky O’Connor.   Episode Breakdown*:  02:49 Recent national rental increases 03:35 How much are we spending on rent? 04:18 Housing supply and demand 06:05 Evictions and homelessness* 10:01 The impact on our other finances 11:18 The impact on older renters 13:24 Property as an alternative to a pension 15:54 Your rights as a tenant or landlord 18:36 Where to go if you’re struggling to pay 21:42 The Renters (Reform) Bill 24:50 Affordable housing. * We talk about Section 21 notices in this episode, but wanted to give you a clear explanation of what they are. A Section 21 notice can be used if a landlord wants their tenant to leave a property that they own. A landlord can only serve you this notice if your fixed-term tenancy has come to an end or if you’re in a periodic tenancy, but they don’t need a reason to make you leave. A landlord must give you at least two months’ notice to vacate the property. At the end of that period, if you haven’t left the property, the landlord can start the formal court process to formally evict you. This usually takes a number of weeks and could result in a court order that forces you to leave the property. You can see all the rules around Section 21 notices on gov.uk. If you’ve been served a Section 21 notice, you can see what your rights are on the Citizens Advice website.   Further reading: For more information on the key issues surrounding the home rental market, check out these resources. Episode 22 transcript Why has renting got so expensive?  Renters (Reform) bill (UK Parliament) Emergency grants, loans and money help (Shelter) Discretionary Housing Payments (Gov.uk) Council Tax Reduction (Gov.uk) Benefits calculator (Turn2us) Grants search (Turn2us) Housing issues (Citizens Advice) First-tier tribunal (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 on X, Threads, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and LinkedIn. Follow @sheltercharity on X (@Shelter), Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and LinkedIn. Follow Jenny on LinkedIn. Follow David on X and LinkedIn.

Enjoying the podcast?! Tell us what you think below and give us a rating. As always we’d love to hear your suggestions and feedback. Send us an email: podcast@pensionbee.com    Did you know that as well as a gender pay gap and a gender pension gap, there’s also a gender investment gap? According to investment website; Boring Money, in the UK there’s nearly £600 billion more in men’s investment accounts than women’s! Only a third of UK women say they feel confident dealing with their finances. But, is a lack of confidence the reason why only 48% of women invest in the stock market compared to 66% of men, or are other factors at play? To help us explore why women are less likely to invest are this month’s expert guests:  Founder and CEO of Propelle; Ayesha Ofori, Co-Founder of Female Invest; Anna-Sophie Hartvigsen, and Independent Non-Executive Director for PensionBee; Lara Oyesanya FRSA.   Episode Breakdown:  02:00 Why’s it important for women to invest? 03:15 Brief history of financial gender inequality 04:51 Saving vs investing 06:58 Why women are less likely to invest than men  08:46 Are women less likely to take risks?   14:24 Financial education for women  17:26 Pensions are investments  19:34 Who can invest? 22:03 Our guests first investments 26:07 Long-term thinking.    * We mention Boring Money’s research shows a £600 billion gender investment gap worldwide - this figure actually only covers the UK!  The figures mentioned for the potential returns of savings vs investments were calculated using Santander’s savings and investments calculator. The results were based on taking medium risk and the ‘realistic’ expectation of growth. However, returns can be higher or lower. These are just examples and aren’t guaranteed.    Further reading: For more information on the key issues affecting women and their finances, check out these resources from PensionBee. Episode 21 transcript Why women save rather than invest Why aren’t women investing?  Why closing the gender investing gap matters for impact investing Can financial education platforms help close the gender financial literacy gap? How important is financial independence? How can we improve financial health amongst women? Building your financial resilience Episode 3: How do we tackle the gender pension gap?   Other useful resources: Propelle Female Invest The history of women and money (GoHenry) Equal Pay Act 1970 (Gov.uk) Girls get less pocket money than boys (Netmums) Girls just wanna have funds (Female Invest book) Savings and investments calculator (Santander)     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 on X, Threads, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and LinkedIn. Follow Ayesha on Instagram and LinkedIn. Follow Anna (@hartvigsen_anna) on X, Instagram and LinkedIn. Follow Lara on LinkedIn.

Enjoying the podcast? Tell us what you think below and give us a rating. As always we’d love to hear your suggestions and feedback. Send us an email: podcast@pensionbee.com.   In this bonus episode of The Pension Confident Podcast, we return with part two of our financial crash course for parents. If you haven’t heard part one yet don’t worry, you can go back and find it on our feed. Tune in to hear the best bits from episodes eight and 23, as our host, Philippa Lamb and our expert guests cover everything from pocket money economics to talking to your children about how debt works. We hear from: Certified Money Coach, Mentor, and Founder of The Money Whisperer, Emma Maslin; Personal Finance Journalist, Laura Miller; Co-Founder and CEO of NatWest Rooster Money, Will Carmichael; and Personal Finance Expert and Founder of Mrs MummyPenny, Lynn Beattie.   Episode Breakdown: 01:03 Understanding compound interest 02:22 Pocket money economics 04:05 Teaching kids about debt 05:29 Juggling a family and finances 06:39 Differentiating between rich and wealthy 08:24 How kids can teach us about money   Further reading and listening: To learn more about personal finance tips for new parents, check out these articles and podcasts from PensionBee: Episode transcript 5 steps to plotting your personal finance roadmap E8 of The Pension Confident Podcast: How to teach kids about money (Podcast) E14 of The Pension Confident Podcast: What’s the impact of your relationship status on your finances? (Podcast) E19 of The Pension Confident Podcast: Can you afford to have kids? (Podcast) How to teach kids about money Money saving tips for families Should I teach my children about money? Teaching kids about money: How can we improve financial literacy among children? What is compound interest? What is compound interest? - Pensions 101 (Video)   Other useful resources: Child Benefit (Gov.uk) How do you tell kids you cannot afford something? (StepChange) How much pocket money should I give? (Rooster Money) How to teach kids about money (MoneyHelper) Mumsnet (Mumsnet) New apps are teaching children how to manage their money (The Economist) Tax-Free Childcare (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 X, YouTube, Threads, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and LinkedIn. Follow Emma Maslin (@MoneyWhisperer_) on X, Threads, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn. Follow Laura Miller (@thatlaurawrites) on X and LinkedIn. Follow NatWest Rooster Money (@rooster_money) on X, YouTube, Threads, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and LinkedIn. Follow Lynn Beattie (@MrsMummypennyUK) on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.

Enjoying the podcast? Tell us what you think below and give us a rating. As always we’d love to hear your suggestions and feedback. Send us an email: podcast@pensionbee.com.   In this bonus episode of The Pension Confident Podcast, we have tips for new parents: from the benefits you could be eligible for, to the impact parenthood could have on your pension. Tune in to hear the best bits from episodes three and 19, as our host, Philippa Lamb and our expert panels discuss nesting, building emergency funds as a new parent and more. We hear from: CEO of Mumsnet, Justine Roberts CBE; Founder of Vestpod, Emilie Bellet; Money Advice Editor at The Telegraph, Sam Brodbeck; Senior Digital Editor at Money Week, Kalpana Fitzpatrick; PensionBee’s CTO, Jonathan Lister Parsons; and PensionBee’s CEO, Romi Savova.   Episode Breakdown: 00:37 The reality of Shared Parental Leave 02:22 Statutory rights for adoption 03:13 How to budget for a new baby 04:44 Anticipating early costs and childcare expenses 06:23 Exploring Tax-Free Childcare Allowance and Child Benefit 08:05 Parenthood and the Gender Pension Gap 09:31 Starting a conversation, before starting a family   Further reading and listening: To learn more about personal finance tips for new parents, check out these articles and podcasts from PensionBee: Episode transcript E19: Can you afford to have kids? With Justine Roberts CBE, Kalpana Fitzpatrick and Jonathan Lister Parsons E3: How do we tackle the gender pension gap? With Sam Brodbeck, Emilie Bellet and Romi Savova Pensionbee’s research on fair sharing of childcare PensionBee Parental Leave Policy What I learned about mothers and their pensions from answering Mumsnet questions Why parents need to make a Child Benefit claim to protect their State Pension   Other useful resources: Mumsnet Statutory Maternity Pay and Leave (Gov.uk) Statutory Paternity Pay and Leave (Gov.uk) Statutory Adoption Pay and Leave (Gov.uk) Disability Living Allowance for children (Gov.uk) Tax-Free Childcare (Gov.uk) Child Benefit (Gov.uk) Boosting paternity leave has economic benefits (Pregnant Then Screwed) Average childcare costs (MoneyHelper) Transparency on parental pay (ABI)   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 X, Threads, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and LinkedIn. Follow Mumsnet (@Mumsnet) on X, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and LinkedIn. Follow Vestpod (@VestPod) on X, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and LinkedIn. Follow Kalpana (@KalpanaFitzpatrick) on X, LinkedIn, Instagram and TikTok. Follow Sam (@sambrodbeck) on X and LinkedIn.

Enjoying the podcast? Then don’t forget to rate and give us a review! As always we’d love to hear your suggestions and feedback. Send us an email: podcast@pensionbee.com Listen to part four of our personal finance tips and hear from our expert guests as they discuss switching current accounts, sharing parental leave and why you should be talking about money with your loved ones. Listen to parts one, two and three.  In this bonus episode, you’ll hear helpful tips from: PensionBee's CMO; Jasper Martens; Founder of financial literacy platform, All Things Money; Ola Majekodunmi; Personal Finance Expert and Founder of Mrs MummyPenny; Lynn Beattie; Founder and CEO of Propelle; Ayesha Ofori; Independent Non-Executive Director for PensionBee; Lara Oyesanya FRSA; PensionBee’s CTO; Jonathan Lister Parsons; and Founder and CEO of Vestpod; Emilie Bellet.   Episode Breakdown:  00:25 The benefits of switching current accounts 02:03 Saving vs. investing your money 04:24 Investment accounts and fees 05:58 Parental leave and pensions 07:31 Separating personal and business finances 09:14 Talking about money with loved ones.   Read the transcript.   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 on X, Threads, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and LinkedIn.