Pension Awareness Campaign celebrates 10th anniversary

The Pension Awareness Campaign, created by Grimsby-based Pension Geeks, started as a small meet up with industry providers, before it expanded into a double decker bus tour, travelling the length and breadth of the country, to the digital offering seen today. 

The campaign has evolved over the years but its mission is to help people through pension engagement and innovative communications. 

Last year, it saw over one million people visit the website and over 40,000 people attend the shows – with the biggest turn out tuning into the session on explaining pensions and tax, closely followed by the session combining pension pots and how much pension to aim to save.

The campaign has even reached global shores, with Pension Awareness campaign events taking place in Canada and Southern Europe.

The campaign, which will run for five days and be hosted online, will include industry members, including ex-pensions minister Sir Steve Webb, the Money and Pensions Service (Maps), and numerous providers.

Jonathan Bland, co-founder of the campaign, said: “We started Pension Geeks 10 years ago from our kitchen after being frustrated with the lack of materials and guidance that truly helped individuals make sense of pensions. 

“There were a lot of industry events that talked about how to improve communications but there was nothing aimed at helping people with the nitty gritty of saving for retirement. 

“That’s why we started the Pension Awareness Campaign - our mission always has been, and continues to be, to provide people with practical and meaningful help, so that they can find the confidence to get to grips with their money.”

As part of the campaign, consumers will be able to access free and impartial live shows on various pension and money topics, such as explainers on the state pension, combining pots, mortgages – and sessions on how to protect your personal finances. 

The audience will be able to interact with expert geeks by asking their questions through the Pension Awareness live streaming platform. 

Bland said: “Thanks to the backing of providers and our supporters over the years, we’ve been able to keep building the campaign, and to be running for 10 years is an incredible achievement.

“Through the years I can recall so many stories from people being in tears because they’re at the end of their tether with their pension, or people finding thousands of pounds in pensions they didn’t know about. 

“This campaign has helped to change lives, and that’s why we keep on doing what we’re doing.” 

The free live shows can be registered via the Pension Awareness website.

sonia.rach@ft.com

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