Take the Pensions Challenge this Pension Awareness week
11.09.2025
If pensions have always felt like a mystery, Pension Awareness week is the perfect time to change that!
Pension Awareness is a government-backed national campaign aimed at encouraging savers to get informed about their pension, and take control of their retirement planning. Between the 15th and 17th of September, the campaign will be running a series of free live shows aimed at providing you with valuable pensions insights. You’re also invited to take part in the Pensions Challenge.
What is the Pensions Challenge?
Walking you through a series of steps, the challenge aims to help you get to know your pension, take stock of where you are on your savings journey and check you’re on track for retirement.
The first step in the Pensions Challenge is to read your annual benefit statement. Each year, we upload your statement to your secure online account. This statement provides an overview of your current pension position by showing you how much you have now, and what you could have by the time you retire.
You can view your latest statement now by clicking the red ‘Log in’ button in the right-hand corner.
To complete the challenge, you’ll also be asked to make a nomination for who you would like any pension death benefits to be paid to.
- If you joined the Scheme after 1 October 2002, you’ll be a member of the Defined Contribution (DC) section, and you can easily make or change a nomination via your online account or you can complete a form.
- If you joined before this date, you’ll be a member of one of our Defined benefit sections, and you can tell us who you want to receive pension death benefits by completing a nomination form.
We’re available to help you with any queries you have about your ABF pension or your online account. If you haven’t logged in before, please contact us and we can help you get started.
Join a free live show
Pension Awareness are also holding a series of free live shows led by industry professionals. While not providing personalised pensions advice, they cover a broad range of topics and aim to address frequently asked questions. Some of the shows you can sign up to watch include:
- Your pension made simple – Monday 15 September (10:00-10:45)
A jargon-free overview of how your pension works.
- Ask the adviser: Your top pension questions answered – Tuesday 16 September (15:00-15:45)
A professional adviser answers common pension queries, including, ‘how much do I need to retire comfortably?’ and ‘what’s the smartest way to access my pension savings?’
- 5 pension essential need to knows – Tuesday 16 September (12:30-13:15)
In this session, you’ll be given tips on starting, planning and budgeting. While also touching on the impact of divorce.
- The State Pension explained – Wednesday 17 September (10:00-10:45)
An essential overview of the UK State Pension System, including how to claim it, and what can be done to increase your future pension.
Whether you’re close to retirement, or a long way off, it’s never too early to start planning. In fact, the earlier you start, the more likely you are to build up the kind of income you want.
Don’t miss Pension Awareness Week - Visit their website to see the full schedule of live shows, book your place and take the Pensions Challenge: www.pensionawarenessday.com
