In my ideal world I’d be looking back at my entrepreneurial life and think “I’m so happy I made it a priority monthly save for my pension. I can see how it has grown”, and high five myself.

The truth is, many freelancers never set off the pension saving that the employer previously did for them, even when they have money in the bank. Recently I made a visit to a coffee shop in Södermalm, and got speaking to the baristas, and after some friendly banter we discussed money and pensions from the perspective of freelancers and entrepreneurs.
To keep it short, as we know self-employed humans cherish their time, here is the why and how to list to get going, as that is the most important thing in this process:

Why we should set off pension:

1. We control the narrative as our own boss, be a good boss to yourself. This is freedom put into action, with an aim to have more freedom down the line. Your future you says thank you for taking time to create an automization!
2. We work passionately and hard for the money, ofc we should have a pension like everyone else. Compound interest is real, now we let the money work for us.
3. We are leaving money on the table, if we don’t use the dedicated yearly window for 2025, closing mid Dec, to save for our pension.

Action steps for setting up a pension as a company owner:

1. Choose who to work with (see options below, or find whatever you need), these options are free of charge, as opposed many other banks that will charge you for setting up pension shop for you. Classical banks are charging you set up fees, yearly fees, cover charges for you entire sum, transactional charges etc.
   
   Here are some suggestions for Private pension providers with target funds, with no cost to you:
   • Avanza
   • Nordnet
     
2. Set up a company pension. Set off a lump sum for this year, or set up an autopay, the choice is yours. Both are preferred if you are doing it late this year.
   
3. Invest in a target fund – index fund with low cost. Nordnet will set up a target fund targeting your pension age. This is the simplest way, let them set up something to get you going. I cover why index funds are thing in this index fund post (Hint hint, it has to do with Nobel prize winning research).

I am somewhere hoping that saving for my and your future should be as fun as playing a game. I hope we can mentally shift the way we feel acting on seemingly “boring” things can be made joyful, and connect doing something for yourself to entrepreneurial self care.

Hope this is helpful to you.
All the best
Heidi Harman

This article contains Affiliate links.
These are affiliate links which means i get some coffee money if someone clicks and signs up, and starts saving through my newsletter. And ofc I use both providers for my pension, as a UX person that has designer Bank systems, I love checking out different banks and their usability. I rarely use Affiliate links, but when I do, I have tested the service and use it myself and stand by it.

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