THIS week marks six months of freedom and choice for pensions and Citizens Advice Taunton is encouraging eligible people in Somerset to seek free guidance to make sure they understand their options.

The new pension freedoms, introduced in April, mean people over 55 who have a defined contribution pension now have the option to take their pension savings as an annuity, cash or flexibly over time.

Alongside these changes the government launched Pension Wise, a free impartial service to help people approaching retirement understand their options so they can make informed decisions about their pension pot.

Face-to-face Pension Wise appointments are available at Citizens Advice Taunton and across Somerset since the service’s launch six months ago it has been helping people understand the range of options now available.

Liz Fothergill, chief officer at Citizens Advice Taunton, said: “Pension Wise helps people make sense of their pension options.

"In the last six months, we have had a range of different questions about the new freedoms from cashing in 25% of a pension pot tax-free to how a decision might affect any benefits someone already receives.

"Pensions can be confusing. Pension Wise offers people an opportunity to seek guidance to understand their five options before they make any final decisions.

"We encourage people to come visit us at Citizens Advice Taunton to book a free guidance session”.

To book a Pension Wise appointment you can visit Citizens Advice Taunton or call 0300-3301001.