For sure, I'm definitely not saying don't pay into a pension - I am just explaining that caution is required. It is locked away, permanently, for a very long time. I top mine up significantly to offset tax, but ideally I'll want to invest somewhere else that would mature at a similar age - but should poo hit the fan, is much more accessible.
<3 age friend
To be clear, permanently isn't really correct. The money is released upon diagnosis of a terminal illness or death too.