Performance is not the only factor in choosing a fund. Fees and flexibility are also important 

10 tips for picking the perfect pension 

1. How do I choose the right pension fund? 

The first thing to do is decide which type of pension you should have. If you work for a company that offers an occupational scheme, you should almost certainly join it. Company schemes are usually far more generous than personal pensions because employers make contributions on your behalf. 

If there is no company scheme, you must look to personal pensions. However, the launch of the government's stakeholder pension in 2002 may mean companies will, in future, have to offer some form of pension for staff. 

Stakeholder is designed for contributions of up to £3,600 a year, so if you are likely to stay in your job and contribute £300 a month or less, it may be worth waiting and starting some retirement savings in an Isa or Pep until Stakeholder arrives. However, it is important not to put off saving for retirement altogether - even short delays can result in a drastically reduced fund at retirement. 

2. Which is the best pension company? 

There is no right answer - it depends on your requirements and circumstances. Different companies offer various terms and conditions on their personal pensions that suit different people. However, one name keeps cropping up when advisers talk about their favourite pension company: Standard Life. The Glasgow-based firm is praised for its consistent investment performance, flexibility and low charges. 

3. Can I stop paying without penalty? 

Flexibility is one of the most important features of a pension. In general, pensions force you to make a trade-off between cheap policies with little flexibility and expensive schemes that allow you as much freedom as you require. 

With some schemes you may be penalised through higher charges or a lump-sum penalty from your fund, even if you stop contributing for just a couple of months. Others will close the pension altogether. Most advisers recommend their clients opt for the most flexible pensions: CGU, Axa Sun Life and Standard Life. 

4. Where can I get a cheap pension? 

Hargreaves Lansdown (01179 889880), the independent financial adviser, will refund the commission on any personal pension as long as you do not want advice. The refund can total several thousand pounds. 

Also, Internet services that are beginning to spring up are offering similar deals. Discount Pensions ( www.discountpensions.co.uk) will refund the initial commission on pension funds from three companies: Standard Life, Norwich Union and Axa Sun Life. 
5. How much should I put into my pension? 

To retire on half your final salary, simply divide your age by two and that is the percentage of income you should contribute. 

6. How much am I allowed to put in? 

For people in company schemes the maximum you can contribute is 15% of your salary, although there is no specific limit on how much the company can pay on your behalf. With personal pensions, the limit varies according to your age and earnings. If you are under 36, you can contribute a maximum of 17.5% of your income each year subject to an earnings cap of £87,600. Between the ages of 36 and 45 it rises to 20%; from 46 to 50 it is capped at 25%; it goes up to 30% between 51 and 55 and 35% from 56 to 60. 

7. What other features should I look for? 

Performance and charges are the key. Insurance companies and financial advisers can provide projections of their personal-pension performance, based on a variety of assumed growth rates. Using their figures, you can see the impact of the charges on the maturity value. Insurers can also provide year-by-year breakdowns of the transfer value - the amount you could transfer to another policy. 

Sun Life, CGU, Legal & General and Standard Life are three companies commonly recommended by advisers for their strong returns. 

8. Will I be able to retire early without penalty? 

Sometimes the company will penalise you by about 4% of your fund value for every year you retire early. Royal & Sun Alliance, Standard Life, Scottish Equitable and Legal & General do not penalise policyholders for early retirement. 

9. What is the best way to make payments? 

For most people, a regular-premium policy, where your contributions are made monthly by direct debit, is best. However, if you are putting in £10,000 a year or more, it is probably better to make a series of "single-premium" contributions because of the way the charges operate. 

10. Can I control how the fund is run myself? 

Yes, through a self-invested personal pension (SIPP), which allows you to choose how your money is invested. In the early years you may want to take risks, then switch into more secure funds as you near retirement. However, SIPPS can be expensive and are usually recommended for people who have at least £50,000 to invest or pay regular premiums of £500 a month. 

Source: Sunday Times: 28 February 99