pension
A pension is a regular payment of money that someone receives after they stop working because they are old or ill.
Explanation at your level:
A pension is money for old people. When you are old and you stop working, you need money to buy food. The government or your company gives you this money. It helps you live happily when you are not working anymore.
A pension is a regular payment. People get this money after they retire. You save money while you work, and then you get it back later. It is very important for your future.
A pension is a financial plan for retirement. During your career, you and your employer put money into a fund. When you retire, you receive this money monthly. It is a common benefit in many jobs.
A pension is a long-term savings vehicle designed to provide income during retirement. Many employees value a good pension scheme as part of their employment package. It is essentially deferred income that ensures financial stability after one stops working.
A pension represents a critical component of personal financial planning. It functions as a contractual obligation where an employer or state provides periodic disbursements to a retiree. The complexity of pension funds often involves investment strategies to ensure the capital grows over decades, mitigating the risk of inflation during one's retirement years.
The concept of a pension has evolved from historical 'stipends' to sophisticated financial instruments. In modern economies, the sustainability of pension systems is a major policy debate, particularly as life expectancies increase. Understanding the nuances between defined-benefit and defined-contribution plans is essential for anyone navigating long-term wealth management and retirement security.
30초 단어
- Pension is money for retirement.
- It is usually built over a career.
- It can be from an employer or the state.
- It is essential for financial security.
Think of a pension as a way to save for your future self! When people work, they often put a little bit of their paycheck away into a special fund. Their company might even add extra money to it.
Once that person decides to retire—or stop working—they get to use that saved money. It arrives like a regular paycheck, helping them pay for food, housing, and hobbies without needing to be at an office every day.
It is a financial safety net. Without a pension, many people would find it very difficult to support themselves once they reach their golden years. It is essentially your past work taking care of your future life!
The word pension has a very fancy history. It comes from the Latin word pensio, which literally means 'a payment' or 'a weighing out' of money.
Back in the day, the Romans used the word to describe a rent payment. Over hundreds of years, the meaning shifted in French and eventually English to describe a fixed allowance or stipend given to someone.
It wasn't until the 18th and 19th centuries that the word became strongly associated with retirement. Governments and militaries started offering 'pensions' to soldiers or long-term servants as a reward for their loyalty. It is fascinating how a word for 'rent' became the word for 'retirement security'!
You will hear pension used most often in business, government, and personal finance conversations. It is a formal term, but it is used in everyday life when discussing career planning.
Common phrases include 'drawing a pension' or 'pension fund'. You might hear someone say, 'I am looking forward to my pension.' This implies they are excited about the freedom that comes with retiring.
In a professional setting, you might hear about 'pension contributions' or 'pension schemes'. It is important to know that while it is a formal word, it is not considered 'stuffy'—it is just the standard way to describe this specific type of financial benefit.
While 'pension' itself isn't the star of many idioms, it appears in several financial expressions:
- Pension off: To force someone to retire, usually because they are too old or no longer effective.
- Living on a pension: A state of being retired and relying solely on these payments.
- Pension gap: The difference between the money you have saved and the money you actually need for retirement.
- State pension: The basic amount paid by the government to citizens.
- Private pension: A plan you set up yourself, separate from your employer.
The word pension is a countable noun. You can have 'one pension' or 'many pensions' if you have worked for different companies.
Pronunciation is tricky! In the UK and US, it is pronounced PEN-shun. The stress is on the first syllable. It rhymes with words like mention and tension.
Grammatically, we often use it with verbs like 'receive,' 'collect,' or 'contribute to.' It is almost always used as a noun, though 'pensioning' exists as a rare gerund form.
Fun Fact
It came from the Latin 'pensare', meaning to weigh, because money was weighed out.
Pronunciation Guide
Clear 'pen' sound followed by a soft 'shun'.
Very similar to UK, slightly more rhotic 'r' if present in surrounding words.
Common Errors
- Pronouncing it 'pen-shon' with an 'o' sound.
- Missing the 'sh' sound.
- Misplacing the stress on the second syllable.
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Clear and straightforward
Easy to use
Common word
Clear pronunciation
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
고급
Grammar to Know
Countable vs Uncountable
I have two pensions.
Present Perfect
I have contributed to my pension for years.
Modal Verbs
I should start a pension.
Examples by Level
My grandfather gets a pension.
Grandfather receives money.
Simple present tense.
He does not work now.
He is retired.
Negative verb.
The pension helps him.
Money is useful.
Subject-verb agreement.
I want a good pension.
Future goal.
Modal verb.
Work gives you a pension.
Job benefit.
Active voice.
Is the pension enough?
Question about money.
Question structure.
They save for a pension.
Planning ahead.
Verb usage.
The pension is monthly.
Every month.
Adjective usage.
My dad is retiring and will start his pension.
She has a very good pension from her job.
Do you know when your pension starts?
Many people worry about their pension.
The company pays into my pension fund.
He lives comfortably on his state pension.
Saving for a pension is a smart idea.
My aunt receives a small pension every month.
I need to check how much is in my pension pot.
The government is changing the pension age.
She decided to retire early and take a reduced pension.
It is wise to start a private pension when you are young.
He has been contributing to his pension for thirty years.
The pension scheme offered by this company is excellent.
Many workers are concerned about their future pension security.
You can view your pension balance online.
The pension deficit has become a major issue for the firm.
She is currently drawing a full pension after forty years of service.
Legislators are debating how to reform the national pension system.
The pension payout was lower than he had originally expected.
He opted for a lump-sum payment instead of a monthly pension.
The union fought hard to protect the employees' pension rights.
Many retirees find it difficult to survive on a state pension alone.
Investment volatility can significantly impact the value of a pension fund.
The actuarial projections for the pension fund were surprisingly optimistic.
He sought professional advice to optimize his pension tax efficiency.
The company was forced to liquidate assets to cover its pension liabilities.
Changes to the pension legislation have sparked widespread public protest.
She managed her pension portfolio with a focus on long-term growth.
The adequacy of the current pension framework is being questioned by economists.
Defined-benefit plans are becoming increasingly rare in the private sector.
He leveraged his pension contributions to reduce his annual tax burden.
The structural integrity of the national pension system is a cornerstone of social stability.
The firm's pension obligations were so onerous that they threatened its solvency.
He navigated the labyrinthine regulations of the pension code with expert precision.
The demographic shift toward an aging population is placing unprecedented strain on pension coffers.
The pension fund's diversification strategy was designed to hedge against systemic market risk.
The discourse surrounding pension reform often highlights the tension between fiscal responsibility and social welfare.
She scrutinized the pension prospectus to understand the underlying investment risks.
The historical evolution of the pension from a discretionary gift to a legal entitlement is a fascinating study.
자주 쓰는 조합
Idioms & Expressions
"pension off"
to force someone to retire
They decided to pension him off early.
casual"on the pension"
receiving state retirement money
My grandma is on the pension.
casual"golden years"
the years after retirement
He is enjoying his golden years.
neutral"living on a shoestring"
living on very little money (often retirees)
Many retirees are living on a shoestring.
informal"nest egg"
savings for the future
She built a nice nest egg for retirement.
neutralEasily Confused
Both are money from work.
Salary is active, pension is passive.
I get a salary now, but a pension later.
Both are periodic payments.
Allowance is usually for kids or expenses, pension for retirement.
Kids get an allowance; seniors get a pension.
Both are money given.
Grant is for a specific project, pension is for life.
He got a grant for his research.
Both are income.
Dividend is from stocks, pension is from work.
He lives on dividends and his pension.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + receive + pension
She receives a pension.
Subject + contribute to + pension
We contribute to our pension.
Subject + retire on + pension
He retired on a small pension.
Subject + draw + pension
They are drawing their pension.
Subject + save for + pension
I am saving for my pension.
어휘 가족
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
관련
How to Use It
8
Formality Scale
자주 하는 실수
Pension specifically refers to retirement money.
Pension is for post-work.
Some retire early.
Standard noun pluralization.
It sounds more natural.
Tips
Memory Palace
Place a giant clock on your desk to represent 'time' and 'pension'.
Native Usage
Use 'drawing a pension' to sound like a native speaker.
Cultural Insight
In the US, '401k' is more common than 'pension' in casual talk.
Grammar Shortcut
Always use 'a' or 'the' before pension.
Say It Right
Focus on the 'shun' ending.
Mistake to Avoid
Don't say 'I am pensioning' unless you mean the act of granting one.
Did You Know?
The word comes from a Latin word for weighing money.
Study Smart
Read news articles about 'pension reform' to see it in context.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
PEN-sion: You use a PEN to sign your retirement papers.
Visual Association
An old man sitting on a park bench with a check in his hand.
Word Web
챌린지
Ask someone what they plan to do when they get their pension.
어원
Latin
Original meaning: A payment or rent
문화적 맥락
Can be a sensitive topic for those struggling with retirement savings.
In the UK, 'State Pension' is a major topic. In the US, people often talk about '401k' instead of just 'pension'.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
At work
- pension scheme
- contribution
- retirement age
At the bank
- pension fund
- account balance
- investment
At home
- living on a pension
- budgeting
- future planning
In government
- pension reform
- state pension
- legislation
Conversation Starters
"Do you think you will have a good pension?"
"At what age do you want to retire?"
"Is it important to start a pension early?"
"What would you do if you had a huge pension?"
"Should the government pay for pensions?"
Journal Prompts
Write about your plans for retirement.
What does financial security mean to you?
If you could design a pension plan, what would it look like?
Why is it important for young people to think about pensions?
자주 묻는 질문
8 질문No, salary is for active work, pension is for retirement.
Yes, you can have a state pension and a private pension.
It depends on the country and your employment history.
It is the total amount of money saved in your pension account.
It depends on the rules of your specific plan and government laws.
In many countries, yes, pension income is taxable.
Usually, you can move it or leave it in the old fund.
Some are, some depend on how the investments perform.
셀프 테스트
After he stops working, he will get a ___.
Pension is for retirement.
What is a pension?
It is financial support.
A pension is only for people who are currently working.
It is for those who have retired.
Word
뜻
Correct definitions match.
My pension has started.
점수: /5
Summary
A pension is the financial reward for a lifetime of work, ensuring you can enjoy your retirement with peace of mind.
- Pension is money for retirement.
- It is usually built over a career.
- It can be from an employer or the state.
- It is essential for financial security.
Memory Palace
Place a giant clock on your desk to represent 'time' and 'pension'.
Native Usage
Use 'drawing a pension' to sound like a native speaker.
Cultural Insight
In the US, '401k' is more common than 'pension' in casual talk.
Grammar Shortcut
Always use 'a' or 'the' before pension.
