Help get me started on a private pension!

dunstonh

So unwrapped would reap the same benefit, less the basic rate tax relief?

No. Over the timescale you would have capital gains tax to consider and possibly higher rate relief with unwrapped. You would also need to keep a much better audit trail than with ISA/pension.

'm getting the impression there isn't as many investment options as I first thought

About 50,000 odd options and a near unlimited combination possible.

it's basically just choosing the risk strategy, then working out how to pay the least fees. Is this what it boils down to?

The driver should be how you want to invest and then how to do it and that could then include the cost side. Risk is obviously a key part of it.

Can you give me any more info on NEST, and why my employer would chose that scheme in particular? When you say worst, do you mean in terms of growth?

NEST is a very basic option aimed at the small employer who doesnt have the time, resources or inclination to set up a potentially better scheme.

NEST gives me the option of investing in higher risk funds, lower risk, sharia funds etc. How do you work out NEST's higher risk fund performs worse than someone else's higher risk fund? Why would my employer screw me over my choosing NEST??

They are basic investment options aimed at people who do not know what they are doing. You cant do much wrong with their options. However, they are not cheap (for what they are unless you are talking small amounts.