Everyone needs to plan for their retirement. People are living longer and healthier lives, so it's even more important to think about how and when to save for retirement and how long to continue working.

Pensions can be confusing and many people don't know where to begin, especially when there are so many other things to spend your money on. But the truth is that a pension is one of the most effective ways to save money because you can get tax relief on the money you save in a pension scheme.

So, with a bit of planning, you can do a lot to help yourself get ready for retirement. Fairly small changes now can make a big difference to your life in the future - and you don't need to blow your monthly budget.

This section will help you understand the basic facts you need to know about pensions, including:

• what is available to you from the State when you retire
• some of the financial choices you can make to prepare for your retirement
• where you can go to get more information so you can start planning for your retirement now
• practical and realistic steps you can take to help you save for your retirement

This is a general introduction to the subject of pensions, but please note that it is only a starting point and not a full statement of the law.