As mentioned in our guide to stakeholder pensions, the government has set a maximum level on the charges that can be applied to stakeholder pensions. At the present time, that charge is set at 1% of the value of the fund.

It should be noted that this must include any commission that you pay if you purchase via an advertiser or other third party. You will find that some plans charge considerably less than 1% but you need to be aware of the quality of the scheme that is being offered - it is extremely advisable that you should investigate the options provided by a number of different suppliers before deciding which scheme to opt for.

Stakeholder plans are required to reach some minimum standards, signified by CAT marks. In this context CAT stands for cost, access and terms. If you're struggling to decide which pension plan is best for you then you could always consider contacting an independent financial advisor.