- Slice of Finance
- Posts
- #39 - Romi Savova, CEO at PensionBee
#39 - Romi Savova, CEO at PensionBee
Slice of Finance Team
23 Apr
Join us on this week's episode of the Slice of Finance podcast, hosted by Jared S. Taylor!
Our Guest: Romi Savova, CEO at PensionBee.
What you’ll get out of this episode:
Origin of PensionBee: Romi Savova founded PensionBee after struggling to move her own retirement account—revealing deep flaws in the legacy system.
Retirement Challenges in the U.S.: A lack of automatic enrollment and financial literacy leads Americans to miss out on crucial retirement savings.
“Your Home Is Not Your Pension”: Savova explains why relying solely on property for retirement income is risky and unsustainable.
Financial Education as Empowerment: PensionBee's "Retirement 101" aims to educate and inspire individuals to take control of their financial future.
U.S. Expansion & Market Gaps: With 30% of 401(k)s dormant, PensionBee is tackling an overlooked need: consolidating old accounts into accessible online IRAs.
Watch
Listen
Read More
How a Broken Retirement System Sparked Innovation
After a frustrating experience trying to move her pension, Romi Savova realized something critical: the retirement system was not built for the everyday person. This led her to create PensionBee in 2014, a fintech company designed to make pensions simple, accessible, and empowering.
Her personal story resonates with millions who have switched jobs and left retirement accounts behind. As Savova notes, “I wanted to take [my retirement account] with me and to have control over it.” PensionBee was born out of that desire for simplicity and self-management in a world bogged down by outdated processes.
Why America Struggles With Retirement Preparedness
In the U.S., retirement readiness remains elusive for many. Savova highlights that unlike parts of Europe, the U.S. lacks universal automatic enrollment in retirement plans, leading many to forgo “free money” from employer matches.
Compounded by low financial literacy, the system sets up individuals to fail unless they’re financially savvy or have access to expert advice. PensionBee is addressing this with both tech and education—helping users consolidate accounts, contribute efficiently, and understand what’s at stake.
Debunking the ‘My Home Is My Pension’ Myth
Many Americans equate owning property with securing their retirement. But Savova pushes back on this belief: “Your home doesn’t pay your bills.” While housing can be a valuable asset, it’s not a substitute for diversified, liquid retirement savings. Homes come with unexpected costs and aren’t designed to deliver steady post-work income.
Teaching Retirement Early with ‘Retirement 101’
One of PensionBee’s key missions is education. Its "Retirement 101" series delivers concise, practical lessons for individuals at any stage. Savova argues that schools often overlook financial education, making it essential for companies like PensionBee to fill the gap. Financial confidence, she believes, begins with understanding.
The Big U.S. Opportunity—and a Quirky Surprise
As PensionBee expands into the U.S., Savova is optimistic. The company’s online IRA solution targets the underserved majority—“everyday savers.” A major market insight? Around 30% of 401(k)s are dormant. PensionBee helps roll those into modern, manageable accounts.
One surprising U.S.-specific issue Savova uncovered is the “Safe Harbor” IRA rollover: employers can move small 401(k)s without consent, often placing them in high-fee accounts. Most people don’t even realize this happens—until it’s too late. PensionBee offers a fix.
Looking Ahead
With strong growth in the UK and a promising U.S. launch, Savova sees a future where every saver is empowered. PensionBee’s mission is clear: help people take control of their financial destiny, one pension at a time.
