Money Guiders Scotland Network

18/09/2026

It’s been a great Pension Awareness Week 2026, with lots of valuable conversations unfolding about pensions and planning for later life.

As the week draws to a close, here are six simple actions money guiders can encourage people to take:

📄 Review pension statements to check values, contributions and contact details.

💷 Make the most of workplace pensions by checking employee and employer contributions, matching options and tax relief.

🔍 Check their State Pension forecast to see what they could receive and whether they may be able to increase it: https://buff.ly/jTvbUV6

🧭 Track down lost pensions using the free Pension Tracing Service: https://buff.ly/popvlDf

👥 Update pension beneficiaries, particularly following a major life change.

🌱 Plan for later life using MoneyHelper’s free retirement tools and guidance, including its pensions guidance helpline: https://buff.ly/Wu9Fqct

Friendly conversations and small steps now can help people feel more confident about their financial future.

💡 Money Guiders hosts regular learning events on pensions, planning for later life and much more. Join our community to hear about upcoming events and learning opportunities: https://buff.ly/NJ2sBZg

18/09/2026

Could someone you support recognise the warning signs of a pension scam? 🚩

Pension scams can be difficult to spot, but knowing some of the tactics scammers use can help people protect the retirement savings they’ve worked hard to build.

Encourage people to be cautious if someone:

🚩 Contacts them unexpectedly about their pension. Cold calling about pensions is illegal.

🚩 Pressures them to make a quick decision or transfer their pension urgently.

🚩 Promises guaranteed or unusually high investment returns.

🚩 Claims they can help them access their pension before the normal minimum pension age.

🚩 Offers a one-off investment, time-limited opportunity, upfront cash incentive or “free pension review.”

🚩 Refers to a legal loophole, government initiative or exclusive opportunity.

Remind people to pause, check who they’re dealing with and seek trusted guidance before making any decisions. A genuine adviser will not pressure them to act immediately.

Learn how to recognise and respond to pension scams with MoneyHelper: https://buff.ly/vliiF6j

Anyone affected by a scam can contact Advice Direct Scotland on 0808 164 6000 or report it through ScamWatch: https://buff.ly/YggYP6F

17/09/2026

When did you last ask someone whether their pension beneficiaries are up to date? 👥

It’s a small pension admin task that can easily be overlooked — but it helps pension providers understand who someone would like to receive their pension benefits after they die.

As money guiders, we can encourage people to:

✅ Check whether they’ve nominated beneficiaries for each pension they hold.

✅ Ask their pension provider how to complete or update an expression of wish or nomination form.

✅ Review their choices regularly, particularly after getting married or divorced, having a child, losing someone they’ve nominated or experiencing another significant life change.

✅ Check the rules of each pension scheme, as the benefits available and the provider’s process may vary.

Find out more about what happens to a pension when someone dies, form MoneyHelper:
https://buff.ly/agDkfWV

💡A simple reminder to review beneficiary details could help someone make sure their current wishes are clearly recorded.

Find out who can inherit your pension after you die, including how the money is taxed, pension death benefits and how to nominate beneficiaries.

16/09/2026

Could someone you support have an old or lost pension? 🔎

Encouraging people to trace pensions from previous jobs could help them find retirement income they’ve built up — and it doesn’t need to cost anything.

Help them get started by suggesting they:

✅ List everywhere they’ve worked, even for a short time.

✅ Check old pension statements, payslips and other paperwork for the pension provider’s name.

✅ Contact former employers or colleagues if they’re unsure which pension scheme was used.

✅ Search for lost pensions and other financial assets using the free Gretel service: https://buff.ly/JEZYyvR

✅ Use GOV.UK’s free Pension Tracing Service to find a pension scheme’s current contact details: https://buff.ly/popvlDf

MoneyHelper also has a helpful step-by-step guide for practitioners and customers: https://buff.ly/QKHVbr1

15/09/2026

🤔 When is a good time to bring up pensions?

The answer might be: whenever a customer starts talking about their future.

Conversations about work, income, budgeting, family changes or later-life plans can create a natural opportunity to ask about retirement planning.

You could try asking:

💬 “Do you know what pensions you currently have?”
💬 “Have you checked how much retirement income you might receive?”
💬 “What would you like life after work to look like?”
💬 “Would it be helpful to explore where you can find more information?”

You don't need to be a pensions expert to open the conversation. Asking a thoughtful question, listening and signposting someone to appropriate support is a valuable first step.

As part of the conversation, you can highlight these useful tools from MoneyHelper:

🎯 Pension calculator: To get a pension income forecast and an indication of the target income to aim for.
https://buff.ly/YGJNyhL

✅ Money Midlife MOT: Help customers review their finances, plan for the future and consider whether they are on track to achieve their goals.
https://buff.ly/5Trkifl

14/09/2026

📅 Pension Awareness Day 2026

As we kick off Pension Awareness Week, it's a great time for money guidance practitioners to refresh their knowledge and build confidence in supporting customers with retirement planning.

Pensions can often feel complex, but having a good understanding of the basics can help you make pension conversations more accessible and engaging for the people you support.

Why not take a few minutes today to explore some of MoneyHelper's free, impartial resources?

✅ Pensions basics
https://buff.ly/cgRjRYr

✅ Pension Wise - MoneyHelper's pensions guidance service
https://buff.ly/zHbNZ0P

These resources are just as valuable for practitioners as they are for customers, offering clear, easy-to-understand information to help build knowledge and confidence.

A pension lets you save money now so you have an income when you retire. You’ll usually get investment growth and tax relief to boost your savings.

24/08/2026

This Thursday, Money Guiders Scotland is bringing together practitioners and organisations from the Highlands and Islands for a free day of online learning, connection and conversation.

Five sessions. One link. Join one — or join them all.

☕ Connect with a Cuppa – informal morning networking
🔍 Loan Sharks and Illegal Lending
🤝 Affordable Credit and the Role of Credit Unions
💬 Debt Help: Every Conversation Counts
🏔️ Highlands and Islands Practitioner Discussion Forum

Each session can be attended separately, so you can dip into the topics most relevant to your role or take part throughout the day.

Alongside practical learning, this is an opportunity to meet fellow practitioners, discuss the challenges facing communities across the Highlands and Islands, and help shape future learning and in-person activity in the region.

📅 Thursday 27 August, 09:30 - 14:30
💻 Online and free to attend
👥 For frontline staff and volunteers across the public, third and community sectors

Five sessions. One link. Learn, connect, share and help shape what comes next.

🔗 Book your free place: https://buff.ly/yFGkU7N

10/06/2026

Thank you to Social Security Scotland for delivering a session for us today, and to all who took time out to join us.

Social Security Scotland provides financial support for unpaid carers in Scotland, including Carer Support Payment, Scottish Carer Supplement and Carer Additional Person Payment.

For money guidance practitioners, knowing about these payments can help carers check what support they may be entitled to and take the next step towards applying.

Find information about these payments as well as guidance and resources on their website www.socialsecurity.gov.scot

09/06/2026

💙 Carers Week 2026 is an important opportunity to recognise the vital contribution of unpaid carers across Scotland and to reflect on how we can better support their financial wellbeing.

This week we're highlighting some of the organisations and vital sources of support available to carers. First up are Scotland's local councils.

Local councils play a key role in supporting unpaid carers. In Scotland, unpaid carers have the right to request an Adult Carer Support Plan or, for young carers, a Young Carer Statement. These plans help identify how caring affects someone’s life and what support may help them continue caring while protecting their own wellbeing.

Signposting carers to their local council or local carer support service can be an important first step, especially where caring is affecting someone’s income, work, health or day-to-day life.

🔗 Find out more: https://buff.ly/UO5WSuL

Guiders

30/04/2026

📬 Our April newsletter landed in inboxes today!

Inside:
✔️ FREE May events
✔️ Case study on Money Guiders + Scottish Government pilot
✔️ News about our summer roadshow (Borders, Aberdeen, Inverness)
✔️ “Shut Out Scammers” campaign + training session
✔️ New data on child poverty in Scotland
✔️ Final call: Frontline Worker Survey

Don’t miss out — catch up now 👉 https://buff.ly/p0BJ7Ob