Your retirement checklist

Published and sources checked 7 October 2026 · UK tax year 2026/27

This is a general organising aid. The right timing depends on your circumstances. Our code does not submit or store your checklist ticks. Your browser may retain them when you return to the page.

1. 1. List your pensions

   Collect current statements, scheme contact details and the type of each pension. Use the government tracing service if you have lost contact with a provider. Find pension contact details.

2. 2. Check your State Pension forecast

   Find your forecast amount and date. The headline full rate is not a substitute for your own record. Check your State Pension forecast.

3. 3. Build a spending picture

   Separate essential spending, flexible spending and one-off costs. Include housing costs and a buffer for changes. How much do I need to retire?.

4. 4. Map when each income begins

   Write down the start dates for wages, scheme pensions and State Pension. A gap can exist even when later retirement income looks sufficient. Filling the income gap.

5. 5. Read each scheme’s terms

   Check access ages, guarantees, charges, survivor benefits and any cost of taking a pension early. Ask the provider to explain unclear terms. Retiring with several pension pots.

6. 6. Compare ways to take your pension

   Learn how cash withdrawals, drawdown and annuities work and which choices are hard to reverse. Annuity or drawdown?.

7. 7. Understand tax-free cash

   Check your entitlement and remaining lump sum allowance before assuming every withdrawal can be 25% tax-free. Taking your tax-free cash.

8. 8. Look at the tax-year picture

   Add up taxable income from all sources. A large pension withdrawal can affect your tax band and allowance. How withdrawals are taxed.

9. 9. Check contributions if you keep working

   Understand whether accessing a pension could trigger the money purchase annual allowance. The money purchase annual allowance.

10. 10. Review household and beneficiary details

    Consider the household position if either partner dies, and check that provider nominations and contact details reflect your intentions. Retiring as a couple.

11. 11. Use guidance and check who you deal with

    Pension Wise explains options. Before engaging an adviser, verify the firm and permissions using the FCA’s official service. Guidance, targeted support and advice.

12. 12. Review after retirement begins

    Compare actual spending with your plan, check tax codes and revisit assumptions when markets, health, household circumstances or rules change. Revisit your income gap.