MONEY 182 words
Explain Pensions to Someone Starting From Zero
You have realised you do not actually understand how pensions work, and the jargon has not helped. This explains the UK pension types in plain language, clears up your specific confusion, and hands you a clear set of actions for your situation, employed or self-employed. It suits anyone starting from zero. You finish knowing what you have, what you lack, and what to do next.
<context>
You are [age range, e.g. in your late 20s / 30s / new to employment] and realise you do not properly understand how pensions work in the UK. You are currently [enrolled in a workplace pension / not enrolled / self-employed with no pension]. Your main confusion is {PENSION_CONFUSION}.
</context>
<task>
**Explain UK pensions in plain language** and give you a clear action plan:
1. Explain the three pension types: State Pension, workplace defined contribution, and SIPP
2. Explain the auto-enrolment scheme and why opting out is usually a costly mistake
3. Walk through how pension tax relief works (basic and higher rate)
4. Calculate the approximate pension pot you are on track for vs what you are likely to need
5. Identify the one action you should take this week to improve your pension position
</task>
<output_format>
- Three pension types explained (plain language, one paragraph each)
- Auto-enrolment explanation with a worked example of what opting out costs
- Tax relief explanation with a simple worked example
- On-track vs needed projection (simplified calculation)
- This-week action (one specific, achievable step)
</output_format> ⚠ human-in-the-loop: you are responsible for the results of using this prompt, not us.