Ep. 84 Demystifying Pensions with Susan Hope

In this latest WUN podcast Susan Hope chats to WUN advocate Julia StichlingSusan Hope, Business Development Director at Scottish Widows, unpacks one of the most important — and often overlooked — financial topics: pensions.We explore why pensions matter more than many people realise, the realities behind the gender pension gap, and how life events like career breaks and raising children can significantly impact long-term financial security.Susan shares practical insights on the key decisions that shape your pension outcomes, how to take control at different life stages, and what “being engaged” with your pension really looks like in practice. We also challenge common misconceptions and look ahead at how attitudes towards pensions — particularly for women — are starting to shift.Whether you’re just starting out or looking to strengthen your future plans, this conversation offers clear, actionable advice to help you take charge of your financial futurePlease Note Susan is not offering any pension advice but purely information only. Don’t forget to join us for the next WUNForWEllbeing – Pension AwarenessResearch indicates that women often prioritise spending on their homes and families over saving for their future and tend to have less confidence in investing. Factors like the gender pay gap and caregiving responsibilities significantly affect their finances.Unfortunately, most people are aware of the ‘gender pay gap’ but there is also a ‘gender pension gap’ too. On average, women have 35% less pension saving than men.Join us for this insightful workshop, in conjunction with Better with Money, to ensure you are armed with hints and tips to bridge that gap.Susan Hope is a Chartered Financial Planner and Business Development Director at Scottish Widows, where she leads a business development team focused on workplace pensions and employee engagement.With over three decades of experience in the financial services industry, Susan is a passionate champion for closing the gender pension gap and empowering women to build financial resilience. Her advocacy recently took her to the House of Lords, where she spoke on the critical importance of financial wellbeing for women across the UK.Combining personal insight with deep professional expertise, Susan is a regular contributor to both trade and consumer media.Women & Retirement Reports | Scottish WidowsScottish Widows | Invest in you