Withdrawing pension early to pay off debt feels logical (clearing one negative against another) and is one of the most-regretted financial decisions. The lost compounding plus tax penalties usually exceed even high-interest debt costs over a few decades.
Why the maths almost never works
Most pension withdrawals before 55 are not legal in UK (with rare exceptions). After 55, withdrawals beyond the tax-free lump sum face income tax. Lost compound growth over remaining years often exceeds 10x the debt paid off.
What to do instead
Aggressive debt repayment from current income. Debt consolidation if multiple high-rate debts. Step Change debt advice charity (free, UK) for serious debt situations. Adjusting lifestyle to free up monthly debt-payment capacity.
Pension is for retirement. It should be the last resort, not the first. Even high-interest debt usually has better solutions than touching pension money.