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Pensions, annuities & retirement planning

Archives for January 2015

Pensioner Bonds..any left?
Hi...I turn 65 in May....how will I know if there is still any availability? thanks.
Moving pension money into isa
I'm sure this has been asked before but is it possible and a good idea to move my pension pot into my isa and if so, what is the most cost effective way? I'm 59 years old (60 in March), self employed company director and have an Old Mutual personal pension of about £80k. The performance of the pension has been what I would…
Help with applying for voluntary early redundancy
Hi I work for a government department. They have offered a final round of voluntary early release from work (although every one they offer seems to be the final one!) I haven't applied before but I'm now seriously considering it. They only have a certain amount of funding and, although they are looking to cut costs, they…
Auto enrolment, pension deducted from salary but not paid to company
My employer has enrolled us into a pension scheme via auto enrolment, and have chosen Standard Life to be the provider. For the past few months they have taken the deductions out of my pay, and they show on the payslip. I have received little infomation from my employer or SL, besides the amounts I/they are paying in and…
New job - transferring pension pot
I've recently changed jobs and would like to transfer my pension to my new employer's pension scheme. My old pension is a group personal pension plan that was handled by Scottish Life (now Royal London). My new pension is another group plan and is handled by Fidelity. The Annual Management charges are similar between the…
Tax relief on pensions and redundancy
I may be being made redundant later this year. The sums aren't large but just wondered how the tax will work. In round figures, I earn £3k pcm and my pension will be £1.7k pcm. I reckon that I will be let go 4 months into the tax year so will receive £12k wages and £13.6k pension in 2015/16. On leaving I will be able to…
Help with getting my head round my mums pension
Hi I've been asked to deal with my mums pension, she is a window. My brother used to deal with it but he's moved to Manchester so Ive been asked to take the helm of this. I am entirely clueless about how these pensions work. Tried looking online and it's like rocket science. Currently for the tax year 2014/15 these are…
Tax relief on Pension contributions. Did I lose out?..Is it possible to reclaim?
In 2005, I started contributing to a Stakeholder Pension. Because of me not quite understanding how tax relief was to be obtained, I am not at all sure if the tax relief that I ought to have had has been given. I have looked back at my tax returns, where I now realise there is a section to do with claiming tax relief on…
Stressed son needing advice
My dad decided to retire when he turned 60 at the end of Oct 2014, technically he was self employed so just stopped taking new work rather than actually ending an employment contract. Pretty unexpectedly he was then diagnosed with stage 4 cancer in Dec 2014 and now he is deteriorating rapidly. When he decided to retire he…
pension question
Hi I'm considering massively overpaying into my pension for a few years to take advantage of high rate tax and the current very good salary sacrifice pension I'm in. I'm 40 and have a large mortgage with 23 years to go. I'd like to use the 25% tax free lump sum To pay this off at 55. Probably 90k by then. I don't want to…
Are my fund selections sensible?
Hi there, I'm just reviewing the fund selections in my pension and whilst they look to my untrained eye to be performing ok (the graph seems to point up on the right hand side! ;) ) , I'd love a steer from you guys as to whether they still look sensible. The pension is an Aviva provided, salary sacrifice company pension…
NHS Survivor pension how long to sort
entered in error
limited company pension
I am a bit confused about pension contributions via ltd company or via salary.
Plan to cut pension credit?
The story below was emailed to me today; haven't checked it out anywhere else but I thought I'd share here to make others aware. Senior Citizens claiming Pension Credit will soon be subject to the same draconian system of monitoring and case reviews as the disabled and jobseekers, when the ‘assessed income period’ system…
Pension Draw Down
I have two small pensions one of which is £35k I would like to take 25% of this amount each year from April. I spoke to my pension provider (Guardian)and they have said that they do not have any provision for this to happen. My question is, under new pension plans, can I draw 25% of my fund each year until the funds are…
AVC/SIPP Contribution Calculation
Hi Folks, I hope someone can help me with some maths. If my earnings are such that I am paying higher rate tax on £30,000 of my earnings. I want to pay into an AVC/SIPP this financial year so I am not paying any HRT. Do I pay £24,000 from my net cash (i.e. write a cheque)? I think what happens is the AVC/SIPP would add the…
Drawing pension - can a Sipp still be opened?
Hi I am asking this question for my sister in law, she is 63 and receiving a private pension and I think her state pension. She has Funds invested in Hargreaves Lansdown in an ISA and she is wondering about the benefits of transferring the ISA funds to a SIPP with them to get the 20% top-up. Can she open a SIPP even though…
Paying into a pension which has no record of me...
Hi I wonder if anyone could offer any advice on the following - you'll have to forgive me, I'm not great at pension jargon and I'm a little rilled by the situation! I joined a new organisation in September 2013 and started paying into a pension straight away. I received information about the council based pension from the…
Set up new pension and avoid 40% tax bracket help?
Hi all, I wonder if you could help me start a new pension and help me avoid paying 40% income tax at the same time too? I already have a public sector pension through my employer which I currently pay 12% of my basic wage into. My basic wage is just over £38k, due to go up to £39.5k from March. I know that doesn't put me…
teachers pensions - additional pension benefit
I know that the teachers pension changes in April. I can afford to put some extra money in to it as a lump sum to buy additional pension benefit. Is it worth me doing this before the changes?

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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.

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Pensions, annuities & retirement planning

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