NI contributions have never paid for YOUR pension. The money collected as part of NI/Tax is paid to "pensioners now" and there is no pension pot, communal or personal. In effect government(s) is mortgaging the future.

Thus there is a misconception in the public's mind and governments of all times and hue are careful not to mention this even obliquely. NI paid is morally yours, but ........... ever thought why it is called insurance?

Personal pension plans are "investment" and you own them while you are alive.

Various UK governments have tried to convince people to take out personal pensions in the hope that they can reduce the government stake in collecting and handling it all and make wages look better. Smoke and mirrors applies.