The Pension Confident Podcast

E37: The easiest way to retire with more money with Neil Bage, Bola Sol and Laura Dunn-Sims

The Pension Confident Podcast

Show Notes

Recent research from PensionBee reveals that financial disengagement might cost savers up to £500,000 over their lifetime - that's a substantial amount! When was the last time you reviewed your savings? Are you aware of how much you've saved for retirement? Making small, informed decisions today can greatly impact your financial future. The great news is that staying engaged with your finances isn't difficult.

Join our host, Philippa Lamb, and our expert panel as they explore a simple truth: the most effective way to max out your chances of retiring comfortably. Behavioural Expert and Co-Founder of Shaping Wealth, Neil Bage; Financial Adviser, Money Columnist and Author, Bola Sol; and Head of Consumer PR at PensionBee, Laura Dunn-Sims.

Episode Breakdown: 01:31 Common financial pitfalls 03:52 Visualising our 'future selves' 06:08 Overcoming complacency with pensions 06:42 The £500,000 'cost of disengagement' 08:00 How can we make the numbers feel real? 10:20 Transitioning from an 'immediate return' to 'delayed return' environment 13:16 How to retire with more money 17:23 Automate your way to compound interest 20:02 Understanding investment risk 23:30 Balancing greed and fear 26:27 How to make (and keep) good habits

Further reading, listening and watching: To learn more about the cost of disengagement, check out these articles, podcasts and videos from PensionBee: E37 transcript (Blog) Bonus: How to stick to your financial resolutions (Podcast) Do you know what pension plan you're in? (Blog) E32: How to understand your pension balance (Podcast) E34: Unpacking 10 years of pension changes (Podcast) How much do you need to pay into a pension? (Video) How much income do you need in retirement? (Blog) How much should you save for retirement? (Video) How to catch up on pension payments (Blog) How to check your pension contributions (Article) How to trace a lost pension (Article) How to understand your pension balance (Blog) Pension Calculator (Calculator) Top 10 money apps for your smartphone (Blog) What income would a £100,000 pension pot give you? (Blog) What is compound interest? (Blog)

Other useful resources: 56% of UK adults feel like they don't understand the stock market (YouGov Survey) Almost 9 million UK adults are missing an old pension pot (PensionBee) Brits missing £31.1b in unclaimed pension pots (Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association) Government's free Pension Tracing Service (GOV.UK) How the 'end of history' illusion shapes your life choices (BBC) Over half of Brits are in the dark or 'dangerously underestimating' the minimum cost of retirement (PensionBee) Pension disengagement could cost you up to £500,000 in retirement (PensionBee) Pot for life significantly more popular than stapling for managing multiple pots (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. Follow Shaping Wealth (@shapingwealth) on YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn and X. Follow Bola Sol (@bolasol) 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].

More from The Pension Confident Podcast

Oct 15, 2026

In this bonus episode, we hear from PensionBee customer Jonathan as he shares his pension story. From the trusty spreadsheet he started with his wife 24 years ago, to now being on track to be mortgage-free in two years - before they hit age 50. We unpack Jonathan's financial journey with pensions expert Dan Stean from PensionBee, covering: what overpaying a mortgage means and why you should check for Early Repayment Charges (ERCs) first; how to weigh mortgage overpayments against pension contributions and how calculators can help; and why planning your finances together as a couple can help, married or not.

Oct 5, 2026

If you had some spare cash each month, where would you spend it? Overpaying your mortgage or giving your pension savings a boost? Join our host, Philippa Lamb, and Maike Currie, VP Personal Finance at PensionBee, as they discuss the benefits and considerations of making extra payments on your mortgage vs. topping up your pension pot.

Sep 27, 2026

Do you know what your money is invested in? And do you feel confident you're making the right choices? Some of us are investing in the 'default' plan, whether that's through a Stocks and Shares ISA or a workplace pension. Others are dabbling in crypto or gold. And many of us aren't even investing at all, preferring the safety of keeping cash tucked away in a savings account. Join our host, Philippa Lamb, and our expert panel as they discuss investing fundamentals: Content Creator 'That Money Guy', Gabriel Nussbaum; Founder and CEO of rainchq, Davinia Tomlinson; and Senior Investment Content Manager at PensionBee, Matt Batsman.

Sep 17, 2026

In this bonus episode, we hear from PensionBee customer Joumana as she shares her pension story. From moving to the UK from Lebanon 13 years ago with no idea a personal pension was even an option, to buying back missing National Insurance years and picking an investment plan that matches her appetite for risk as a freelancer. We unpack Joumana's pension journey with pensions expert Dani Skerrett from PensionBee, covering: why the self-employed pension gap exists, and how flexible contributions can help; how to check and fill gaps in your National Insurance record; how your pension is protected by the FSCS; and the Retirement Living Standards, and what they mean for your own retirement goal.

Sep 7, 2026

With the kids back at school, is now the time to start saving or investing for their future? Join our host, Philippa Lamb, and Maike Currie, VP Personal Finance at PensionBee, as they break down the key differences between a Junior ISA and a Junior SIPP, how each is taxed, and which one might be right for your family.

See all episodes →