When you're worried about what things cost this month, thinking about money you might need in 10, 20 or 30 years can feel like a big ask.

And listening to Wednesday's Budget, with its mix of measures to ease household bills and tax rises, I was reminded just how difficult it can be to balance today's financial pressures with tomorrow's needs.

But looking after your future finances doesn't always mean finding more money to put into a pension. Sometimes it's checking you're getting something you're entitled to. Spotting a mistake. Understanding a change. Or finally tackling a piece of pension admin you've been putting off.

And this edition is full of exactly those things.

Katie

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For years, the State Pension has been protected by the triple lock. It means the State Pension goes up every April by whichever is highest: inflation, average earnings growth or 2.5%.

But the rules are changing from April 2030.

The State Pension will still rise by at least inflation or 2.5%, whichever is higher. But it won't automatically rise in line with earnings whenever wages grow faster. Instead, the Government aims to keep the State Pension broadly in line with wages over time.

What this means for you:
The State Pension isn't disappearing, and it will continue to rise each year. But future annual increases could be smaller than under today's triple lock.

For younger workers, particularly those with decades until retirement, it's another reminder not to rely on the State Pension alone to fund the retirement you'd like.

I've explained what's changing - and what isn't - in the reel below.

Nearly 1.8 million people are unemployed in the UK right now. And the number who've been out of work for more than a year is rising.

When you're focused on finding work, your State Pension is probably the last thing on your mind. But a lengthy period out of work could leave a gap in your National Insurance record, potentially affecting how much State Pension you receive.

The good news? You can get National Insurance credits even if you're not claiming benefits.

Here’s how it works:
If you're receiving Jobseeker's Allowance or Universal Credit, you'll normally get NI credits automatically. But if you're unemployed and actively looking for work, you can also apply for Class 1 credits without claiming Jobseeker's Allowance.

What to do:
GOV.UK says to contact your local Jobcentre. These credits can help protect your State Pension record without you having to pay National Insurance yourself.

📱 I recently made a short video explaining this and the eligibility rules. You can watch it HERE.

During paid maternity leave, your employer should continue paying pension contributions based on your usual salary - not your reduced maternity pay.

But some employers are getting this wrong, potentially leaving women with hundreds or even thousands of pounds less in their pensions, plus lost investment growth. And it's the sort of mistake that could go unnoticed for years.

Worth doing:
Before you go on maternity leave, ask HR or payroll how your employer's pension contributions will be calculated. Then check your payslip or pension statement once you're on leave.

If the numbers don't look right, query them. It's much easier to fix a mistake while it's happening than discover a shortfall years later.

I've explained more detail in the reel below.

Some 3.3 million pension pots worth £31 billion have been lost track of in the UK.

It's easily done - every time you change jobs, you might leave behind a workplace pension. And after years of moving employers, homes and pension providers, it's not always easy to remember where your money is.

Why we’re reminding you
Having a clearer picture of all your pensions is an important part of understanding what you're building up for retirement. And you might have more saved than you realise. And finding out where it all is won't cost you a penny.

Pensions&Prosecco says:
If you're not sure where all your pensions are, start by checking old emails, payslips and pension paperwork, or contacting former employers to find out which pension providers they used.

You can also try the free government Pension Tracing Service, which helps you find providers' contact details, or Gretel, a free service that searches participating providers for lost pensions and accounts.

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Around 800,000 higher-rate taxpayers failed to claim the extra pension tax relief they were entitled to in 2023–24. It’s worth checking if you pay higher-rate tax, you pay into a pension and your pension uses “relief at source”. I've explained this in more detail in the reel below.

Have you taken a step with your pension recently? We'd love to hear about it. Email us at [email protected] and tell us what's changed.

Six English wines worth discovering

Elizabeth says: If you still think English wine is mostly about sparkling wine, it might be time to have another look.

I recently tasted my way through WineGB and what struck me was the sheer variety of wines now being produced here. Alongside some brilliant sparkling wines, I found Sauvignon Blanc with a Sancerre-like character, richer barrel-aged Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc and some really promising Pinot Noir.

English wine isn't always cheap, but there's plenty worth exploring, whether you're looking for something different to try or a special-occasion bottle.

Here are six wines that particularly caught my attention.

The Wayward No.1 Brut & Demi-Sec, Weyborne Estate, West Sussex
A new release and one I absolutely loved. It starts with almost pineapple on the nose before becoming increasingly savoury in the glass. Complex, with impressive length - the sort of English sparkling wine I'd happily put on the table with food. At £54 a bottle, this is definitely one for a special occasion rather than an everyday glass, but it's a lovely example of just how exciting English sparkling wine can be.

Sunken Stones Sauvignon Blanc, Abingworth Vineyard, West Sussex
Another favourite. Mineral and citrusy, with a Sancerre-like character but more power and ripe gooseberry coming through. Bright, elegant and absolutely delicious. I'm always interested to see what English Sauvignon Blanc can do, and this is a very good example. (£23)

Native Grace Barrel Chardonnay, Henners Vineyard, East Sussex
A richer, more textural style of English Chardonnay, with lovely balance and oak adding complexity without taking over. Definitely one I'll be remembering. (From £18.49)

Pinot Noir 2025, Newick Wine Estate, East Sussex
This showed some really exciting potential for Pinot Noir in England. Still young, but definitely one to watch as English winemakers continue to develop their red wines. (£29.95)

Pinot Blanc 2025, Oastbrook Vineyard, Sussex
Lovely weight and texture from time spent on the lees (the leftover yeast from fermentation), while still keeping that freshness. A great example of how interesting English white wines are becoming. (£25)

Rabbit Hole Pinot Noir 2024, Simpsons Wine Estate, Kent
Bright, fresh and full of lovely blue fruit. A very attractive expression of English Pinot Noir. (£29)

There's so much happening in English wine at the moment, but for me that's the exciting bit: there isn't one single style you need to like. It's becoming a much broader and more interesting place to explore.

That’s it for this edition.

More pension housekeeping next time. Fewer acronyms. Always something decent in your glass.

Katie & Elizabeth 🥂

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