Where can I get pension advice?

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I'm currently a stay at home parent and hopefully will be for quite a few years yet. Although I've been working/studying all my life, I've had very few opportunities to pay into a pension (lots of short term contract jobs, further study etc.)

I'd like to get some impartial advice on whether there's anything I should be doing to improve my pension situation now.

If it matters, I'm married and we own our home, with a few more years left on the mortgage.

I'm not sure where to turn for advice though. Would any old financial advisor be able to help, or do I need a specialist. How would I find one?

Pensions Advisory Service

Moneysavingexpert.com is always good for advice

www.moneysavingexpert.com/savings/discount-pensions/

I don’t think you necessarily need to pay someone - there are plenty of tools where you can work out how much you (and DH) will need in retirement. Broadly the estimate is 50% to 2/3rds of your pre-retirement income.

Compare that to your current pensions forecasts from all sources (including state pension). If there’s a gap, you or your DH need to pay more (if you can), or adjust your expectations for the style of retirement you can afford.

If your DH is a higher rate taxpayer, it can make more sense for him to up his contributions than for you to start them, as he’ll get higher tax relief. If you were ever to split, you’d need to make sure you got a fair share of his pension.

Meaningful Money podcast is great for learning about things like UK pensions and investments.

Last year there was a series about pensions, have a listen.
meaningfulmoney.tv/2018/08/08/what-is-a-pension-pensions-masterclass-1/

If you are eligible you could consider putting money into a Lifetime ISA (LISA). www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/articles/a-guide-to-lifetime-isas

Lots of information is available online from the Money Advice Service / Pension Advice Service and from financial institutions themselves. Read lots, listen to podcasts, watch videos, learn as much as you can so you understand all about the different forms of investments you can make.