One step, one simple action - sometimes that’s all it takes to kick start a journey to a more financially-aware and happier you.

6-11 November is Talk Money Week – an awareness campaign designed to get us all talking more about the pennies in our pocket, our thoughts and feelings around money, and how and where to get help if and when we need it.

In support of the campaign, we are asking all members of the Scheme to do one thing today, tomorrow and any other day, to help get them a step closer to understanding their pension, their wider finances and the reason why it’s important to talk about money.

What’s your ‘one thing’?

What one thing will you do this week when it comes to your ENW pension? Start with the basics. Do you have an online pension account? Are your contact details correct? Have you filled in your Expression of Wish form? Do one thing today to get you on track.

We’ve provided you with some ideas below. Depending on how much time you have to spend, we encourage you take more than one of the actions listed. Ideally, you’d use the below as a checklist to refer back to every 3 months or so to ensure you’re in the driving seat when it comes to your retirement income. Consistency is key and we are here to support you get the most out of your pension.

• Register for an online pension account, if you haven’t already done so
• Complete an Expression of Wish form so the Trustee knows who you want a lump sum to go to if you die before you come to claim it
• Make sure the contact details we have for you are correct
• Request an estimate of your pension – it’s never too early or too late to plan for retirement, the sooner you start the better
• View copies of your annual benefit statements
• Check your payslips and P60 form if you’re a pensioner
• Ask us a question if you’re unsure of anything

Talk money - any day, any time

Quite often, it’s saying the words out loud that’s the hardest part. But talking money is important for so many reasons. Research shows that people who talk about money:

• make better and less risky financial decisions
• have stronger personal relationships
• help their children form good lifetime money habits
• feel less stressed or anxious and more in control
  

Building money conversations into our everyday lives also helps us build financial confidence and resilience to face whatever the future throws at us. You may want to start chatting to your partner, sibling, parent or friend about your pension and wider financial priorities. If you have children, you may want to start laying the foundations of financial know-how and awareness in through simple conversations on the topic of money.

Whatever your situation or approach, the importance of breaking the stigma around money talk and being more open about financial matters and their influence on our everyday lives could be said to be paramount in today’s world.