In terms of tax, pensions are accessed in the following way:

1. Tax Relief on Contributions: When you make contributions to your pension scheme, you receive tax relief at the highest marginal rate of income tax you pay, provided that your total gross contribution does not exceed your annual earnings or your annual or lifetime allowances.

2. Tax on Pension Income: When you start receiving pension income, whether it be from a private pension or a state pension, it is taxed in the same way as your other income, with the exception of the first 25% of a private pension, which is tax-free. The tax rate you pay on your pension income depends on your total taxable income, including the pension income.

The annual allowance sets a limit on the amount of contributions you can make to your pension scheme each year, and still receive tax relief on, typically this is 100% of your income to a set amount by the government. The lifetime allowance sets a cap on the total value of your pension pots, above which you'll be taxed at a higher rate on the excess amount. It's important to be aware of these limits and plan your contributions accordingly to maximize the tax benefits of your pension savings.