We'd like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum... Read More » This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are - or become - political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.

We're aware that some users are experiencing technical issues which the team are working to resolve. See the Community Noticeboard for more info. Thank you for your patience.

📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!

Pensions, annuities & retirement planning

Archives for June 2008

AVC Investment Returns
Hi - I paid money into my then employers AVC scheme in the mid 90's. I left their employ in 1999 and evry year (6 months after the renewal date) they send a statement of what I might expect the AVC to pay when I retire. For the last few years it has shown an increase in value of 0.5%! Seems that the co invested in a "with…
Change of job, Group pension suggestions?
Hi, I've started a new job recently and the final contribution from my old job into the Standard Life Group Pension scheme they offered is about to go in. I'm contracting but going thru an umbrella company as PAYE and they're offering a Scottish Widows Group Pension scheme. I have tons of questions but most would need an…
Starting Out
I'm a bit green regarding pensions and would like some opinion on my upcoming choices of funds. Background I'm 30, which means that I have at least another 30 years of working life ahead of me. My company pays in 5% of annual base salary into a stakeholders' pension, soon to be, group personal pension. The provider is…
Just started my own business... what contributions do I make
Hi all I am looking for a bit of advice - I currently have a NU pension that I got around 3 years ago and I currently pay around £20 a month out of my take-home pay into it. I think the fund value is a whopping £1600 - wow! (I'm 30). It looks from my (2007) annual review that I have a Series 2 With Profits3 S2 fund.…
Options to increase lump sum
I have just taken redundancy from Local Government. As a 55 year old femail I can take my company pension. I have a choice to make. In line with Inland Revenue legislation I have the option to increase my lump sum by £12 for every £1 of my annual pension. What are the opinions of you experts out there?? Help please.
Company Scheme and/or AVC ?
I'm currently paying into both. Should I continue (the AVC is £30pm) or should I throw that directly into the company scheme ? Are there any advantages to having the AVC aswell, it is going into the Standard Life 'Lifestyle' Fund ?
AVC - Is it too late?
:confused: I am in a local government pension scheme and at 55 years I am wondering if I should pay in to the AVC scheme they offer. Is it too late for it to be really worthwhile? I wonder if my investment would have time to grow. Also there is always the worry of rendundancy and early retirement which could mean there…
New Pension
I have the option to pay into a company pension scheme when I pay 4% and my employer will pay an addition 10% of my earning. I have the choice of the following funds but needs advice which to choose and what percent of investment. BGI Index-Linked Over 5 Year Gilt Index Tracker BGI 50/50 Global Equity Index Tracker BGI…
Can company pensions be obligatory?
Many moons ago, I did part-time work at Woolworths, which was not part of my long-term career plan :) I had pension payments deducted from my wages. I didn't query it, because I thought it was something that just happened when you worked. Should I have been asked before these contributions were taken? I now have a…
Pension Investment and Risk?
This post was made by Edinvestor on another thread and I cant understand how holding direct investments in a pension reduces risk. Equally I cant understand how lower costs reduce the risk?
Reducing TAX on Pensions
Is it possible to transfer a pension to my spouse? I guess not because a high rate tax payer could save the 40% tax then transfer the funds to his wife and pay 0% tax on the pension. If not... any other (legal!) hints & tips please ?
Do I pay tax on the full amount of separation pay?
I have taken early retirement back in November 2006 and have just received a Tax Calculation for that year showing I have overpaid slightly. What caught my eye was that included in the calculations was the full amount of separation pay when I thought that the first £30,000 was not taxed. I also had some of my pension as a…
How much should I pay into my pension?
Hi, Can anyone give a suggestion as to the amount I should put into AVCs for my pension? My company will start contributing to my pension in 6 months time at a rate of 10% (although it's a final salary scheme). So far I have been contributing around 10% in AVCs. I am 28 male earning £35k pa.
Dad just turned 60
Hi everyone at MSE! My dad just turned 60 and we both realised we have no idea what this now entitles him to, or what we have available to us. We know about the free bus pass, can anyone else offer any advise, or point us to any good websites that might cover this? Thanks for your help!
21 and need help
hi im a 21 year old female and work as an las in a church school and pay almost 60 quid a month into a pension scheme (and have done for the last 3 years) that is taken out by the council, i dont really have a clue whether its decent or not and if its going to benifit me in the long run or should i cancel it and put it…
Pension pot to cash based fund?
Follow on from my previous thread, my partner retires on 17th July, has a small personal pension with Abbey Life but is not too impressed with their offerings, her Financial Advisor said she should request Abbey Life to transfer her pension pot into a cash based fund (the reasoning is that it will not reduce any further…
DWP okays PR money in SIPPs from Oct 1
At last the deed is done :D http://www.citywire.co.uk/personal/-/news/money-property-and-tax/content.aspx?ID=306827&re=3267&ea=116577 http://www.dwp.gov.uk/mediacentre/pressreleases/2008/jun/pens074-270608.asp Don't all rush folks.;) *A major side effect of this is it's going to make it much easier for many people over 50…
Newibe pension question - cashing it in
Ok, im new to this so just bear with me. Curently i have a old stakeholder pension with scottish widows with is currently suspended and totaling 1000 pounds :) well im now on a super ann pension which i have been paying into for three years. my question is..... is there anyway for mew to get to that 1000 pounds? or is my…
Norwich Union With-Profits Stakeholder
A friend has asked me to have a look at his pension arrangements. I'm a bit of a pensions novice myself since I'm taking the S&S ISA route at the moment, so feel free to direct me to what to read or tell me what to Google :) He has a company Stakeholder pension from Norwich Union, invested in the Series 3 range of funds in…
Emergrating and forces pension
I have put this question on the forces forum, but they have adviced me to place it here as well............. Ok, my husband is a serving soldier who will be completing his 22 yrs after christmas, we will then be emergrating to NZ, he will be on the pension 75, my question is this: the lump sum would be put into a high…

★ ★ ★ Meet your Ambassadors

Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply

MSE News

Ofgem proposes new 'no standing charge' Price Cap – but Martin Lewis warns vulnerable customers need to be opted in or it won't work
Ofgem has today launched detailed proposals for a major shake up to its Energy Price Cap that dictates the price over 80% of homes in England, Scotland and Wales pay for their energy bills.
Lloyds, Halifax and Bank of Scotland to cut overdraft rates for millions but hike them for others – here's what's happening and full help
If you're a Lloyds, Halifax or Bank of Scotland current account holder, the interest rate you're charged for using your overdraft could change soon as part of a fees shake-up. The Lloyds Banking Group, which owns all three brands, says millions of its customers will pay less after the changes – but a "few" will pay more.
Warm Home Discount expansion confirmed with millions more eligible for the £150 top-up this winter – here's what we know
Around 2.7 million more low-income households, including 900,000 families with children, will become eligible for the £150 Warm Home Discount this winter, as the Government has confirmed it will remove the existing 'hard to heat' eligibility criteria. The extension has only been confirmed for winter 2025/26, with further changes possible for future years.
Martin Lewis: At last a chance to fix Council Tax flaws impacting millions – debt collection, difficulty challenging your band, discounts and more
Major flaws in the Council Tax system in England could finally be fixed in future, as the Government has launched a wide-ranging consultation to review hideous debt collection practices, the difficulty of challenging your band, the overly complex and horribly-named Severe Mental Impairment discount and more. MoneySavingExpert.com founder Martin Lewis, who has long campaigned on these issues, shares his response and analysis.
Energy complaints to be dealt with more quickly and Energy Ombudsman to get new powers under Government plans
If you have a complaint about your energy firm, it may be resolved more quickly in future, as the Government has announced a raft of proposals to strengthen consumer protections in the energy market. The planned changes include giving the Energy Ombudsman new powers to force firms to comply with its decisions – but it's still very early days. Here's what we know so far.
Warm Home Discount expansion confirmed with millions more eligible for the £150 top-up this winter – here's what we know
Around 2.7 million more households, including 900,000 families with children, will become eligible for the £150 Warm Home Discount this winter, as the Government has confirmed it will remove the existing 'hard to heat' eligibility criteria. The extension has only been confirmed for winter 2025/26, with further changes possible for future years.
Base rate held at 4.25% – here's what it means and when it might be cut next
The Bank of England has held the base rate at 4.25%. Below we explain why, when it might be cut, plus what it means for your mortgage and savings.
Applied for South West Trains 'boundary fares' compensation? Act now to claim it
If you applied for compensation from South West Trains before the deadline in January 2025, you now need to provide your bank details to the claim administrator so it can be paid to you. Here's what you need to know.
Winter Fuel Payments to be reinstated for millions – Martin Lewis explains how it'll work, what it means and if it's an improvement
All State Pensioners in England and Wales will receive a Winter Fuel Payment this winter, though those who earn over £35,000 will see it clawed back through the tax system. It means nine million pensioners will get the £200 or £300 top-up. Here MoneySavingExpert.com founder Martin Lewis shares his instant response and analysis, and we include answers to your key questions.

View All

Pensions, annuities & retirement planning

Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply

🚀 Getting Started

Is this how you want to be seen?

Get our FREE Weekly email full of deals & guides - and it’s spam-free

Pensions, annuities & retirement planning

Discussion List

Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply

🚀 Getting Started

Is this how you want to be seen?

Get our FREE Weekly email full of deals & guides - and it’s spam-free