These fall into three broad categories:

You should get advice before deciding which type of pension you want to invest in. Below is a brief guide to how the three types operate and some useful links.

Occupational pensions
Occupational pensions are obtained through your employer. Some occupational pensions relate to your salary (known as final salary benefit schemes or defined benefit schemes) and some invest your contributions, for example in the stock market, and you use them to buy a pension when you retire (money purchase schemes).

Personal pensions
Personal pensions are savings schemes that you buy from pension providers such as insurance companies, financial brokers or banks, who will invest your funds for you. When you retire you use your funds to buy a pension to live on (called an annuity).You should consider a personal pension if you don't have an occupational pension or you have one but it doesn't fulfill your financial needs.

Stakeholder pensions
These are low-charge pensions aimed at people who don't have access to occupational pensions or good value personal pensions. Stakeholder pensions can be run through either occupational or personal schemes as long as they fulfil certain legislative standards.

Useful links on choosing a pension
When deciding which personal or stakeholder pension to take out it's always best to shop around. The following organisations can offer advice and information on this.

Financial Services Authority (FSA) - An independent body giving general financial information as well as comparative tables for different pension schemes.

The Pensions Advisory Service (TPAS) - An independent non-profit organisation which provides information and guidance on the SP, occupational, personal and stakeholder schemes.

The Pensions Regulator (TPR) - The Pension Regulator looks at work-based pension schemes in the UK. They have the power to investigate schemes and, where necessary, take action to put them right.

The Pension Service - The Government's impartial information site on pensions.

BBC Your Money - The BBC's excellent guide to personal finance.

Independent Financial Adviser Promotion (IFA Promotion) - IFA Promotion will help you find a financial adviser in your area.