Congratulations, you’ve started your journey towards saving for the future.

Things that you need to do:

• Pay as much as you can into your DC pot and maximise the Company contribution. See the 'Changing my contribution' section for more information
• Remember to keep checking how much is in your DC pot. Visit the BlackRock website to logon.
• Don’t forget to review any additional savings that you may have from previous companies, to help you go that little bit further. See the 'Other pensions' section for more information.

Here’s what we’re doing at United Utilities to help you along the way; we will:

• Send you an annual statement showing how much is in your DC pot
• Provide information on investments and your savings pot as required through our defined contributions newsletter

You’re now on the road to saving for the future. No need to worry, we’ll let you know when you need to do something.

If you have any queries please contact the Scheme Administrator BlackRock in the first instance.

BlackRock Employee Savings Service Centre, PO Box 705, Peterborough, PE1 1ZL

Email BlackRock

Tel: 01733 353481

During this stage you will need to make a decision!

Things that you need to do:

• Think about when you may want to take your DC pot. Check that this is what is shown on your BlackRock record as everything that happens from now will be linked to this date. Visit the BlackRock website to logon
• Look at the choices that you have at retirement and make an investment choice depending on which route you wish to go down. See the retirement and investment options leaflet in the information library for more information.
• Pay as much as you can into your pension's savings pot. You may wish to consider paying Additional Voluntary Contributions (AVCs). See the 'Changing my contribution' page for more information

Here’s what we’re doing at United Utilities to help you along the way; we will:

• Invite you to a financial planning session, when you reach the age of 53
• Contact you to explain the choices that you now have to make before you need to make them
• Send you annual reminders to review your pension
• Provide information on investments through our defined contributions newsletter

By the end of this stage you will have moved into a personal journey specific to you and hopefully have a better understanding about which direction you will be heading in and the time you are looking to retire.

Visit BlackRock for more information on what you need to be thinking about at this stage

If you have any queries please contact the Scheme Administrator BlackRock in the first instance.

BlackRock Employee Savings Service Centre, PO Box 705, Peterborough, PE1 1ZL

Email BlackRock

Tel: 01733 353481

You are approaching your destination!

Things that you need to do:

• Look at what happens next and what your choices are. Further details can be found in the information library
• Check your retirement date is still correct by logging onto your BlackRock record

Here’s what we’re doing at United Utilities to help you along the way; we will:

• Invite you on a pre-retirement course
• Arrange for our retirement adviser to contact you to go through your options and provide a recommendation
• Provide information on the government guaranteed guidance, PensionWise

If you have any queries please contact the Scheme Administrator BlackRock in the first instance.

BlackRock Employee Savings Service Centre, PO Box 705, Peterborough, PE1 1ZL

Email BlackRock

Tel: 01733 353481

Congratulations! We hope you have a long and happy retirement!

What you and United Utilities pay

You can amend what you pay at any time by completing the online pensions application form. You can pay between 3% and 7% into the pension scheme. The company will pay in double what you pay. You can pay more than 7% but this is classed as an Additional Voluntary Contributions (AVCs) and is not matched by the Company. Further information on AVCs can be found in the information library

Additional Voluntary Contributions (AVCs)

• You can change/commence AVCs by completing the online pensions application form
• You receive tax relief on AVCs and if you are in PensionSaver* you will also pay less national insurance so it may not cost as much as you think, check out the online pension calculator
• AVCs are added to your DC pot and treated like any other contribution.

*You can start/stop or amend your AVCs at any time. Any regular monthly AVCs will be made under PensionSaver if you are already in the PensionSaver scheme and make amendments on 1 April or due to a lifestyle event. If you pay a one off lump sum or change the amount and it is not because of a lifestyle event you will be opted out of PensionSaver on the AVC until the renewal date of 1st of April.

The Defined Contribution (DC) Section of the United Utilities Pension Scheme is administered by BlackRock.  Their contact details are below:

BlackRock Employee Savings Service Centre
PO Box 705
Peterborough
PE1 1ZL

Email: uk.ops@blackrock.com

Telephone: 01733 353481