A Guide To Making Pensions Green - With Make My Money Matter

If you felt a little flutter of anxiety or dread when thinking about pensions, acting upon this guide will end that for good. Because while saving money for your retirement, you could also be helping to save the planet, truly securing a sustainable future. Transform your pension dread into pension pride.

We spoke to our friends at Make My Money Matter, a people-powered campaign fighting for a world where our pensions help tackle the climate crisis, not fuel the fire. They've put together the handy guide below to help you get started.

NOT SURE WHAT A PENSION IS? YOU'RE NOT ALONE!

Pensions are confusing, even the way it's pronounced doesn't make sense. Read this brilliant Money Saving Expert guide on how they work, why they're important, and where to begin.

DON'T KNOW WHO YOUR PENSION PROVIDER IS? NO PROBLEM

Use this Government guide, or if that fails, ask your employer.

KNOW YOUR PROVIDER AND WANT A GREEN PENSION? GREAT!

Having a green pension can be up to 21x more effective than stopping flying and going vegetarian combined. Tell your provider you want your money to matter by taking the 21x pension challenge here

YOUR PENSION IS ORGANISED THROUGH YOUR EMPLOYER? TELL THEM YOU EXPECT A GREEN PENSION TOO

Many pensions are run through workplace schemes, tell them you want a pension to be proud of. Check out the Make My Money Matter page to get a template letter and ask them to sign up to Make My Money’s Green Pension Charter.

DO YOU HAVE A SELF-INVESTED PENSION PLAN? (SIPP)

Nice, you have even more control over where your money goes. Contact your financial advisor or login to your SIPP platform to find out more and green your pension.

NO PENSION BUT STILL WANT TO GET INVOLVED?

If you don’t have a pension you can still sign Make My Money Matter's petition here to show your support for the campaign. You can also get in touch with your friends and spread the word.

FIXED YOUR PENSION AND WANT A GREEN BANK TOO?

Just like pensions, bank accounts can be powerful tools to change the world. Check out this Good With Money guide for more info and visit Switchit if you want to green your bank.

READY TO GET INTO THE DETAIL?

If this topic fascinates you, there's so much more out there, check out Good With Money, The Times, The Big Issue and Which?

SOUNDS GREAT BUT WORRIED ABOUT RETURNS?

Research from the morningstar has shown that sustainable funds have, on average, matched or outperformed non-sustainable investments. When we have the power to build a sustainable and healthy planet, and secure healthy returns, why wouldn't we?

NOW, THE FUN BIT

Head over to the Make My Money Matter to hear from Aisling Bea, Jason Isaacs and Martin Freeman on just how sexy and exciting pensions can be!