Unless you are a real expert in the field of pensions, planning for your retirement can be a maze for even the most intelligent of people. There are so many terms and products to try to get your head around and it is no wonder that many people do not plan adequately for their retirement.
Many people do not know the difference between an annuity calculator and a mortgage calculator and so it is vitally important that you seek the advice of an expert, particularly if you do have spare income that you can invest.
Make sure that it is with a reputable company and make an appointment to see one of their financial advisors. They will run through all the different options with you so that you can see what financial products would suit you best at whatever age you are.
If you have good relations with your local bank then you may want to go down this route, but equally there are lots of finance companies who will be happy to help you.
Remember that some of these advisors work on a commission so make sure that they explain everything to you clearly and objectively and try to make your final decision based on your own judgement. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is!