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Definition of when a pension ceases to be 'deferred'
I applied for a CETV (Cash Equivalent Transfer Value) for my Civil Service pension on 8th December 2025. This was for the purposes of obtaining a Financial Order as part of divorce proceedings. I had previously advised Civil Service Pensions, on 12th November 2025, that I wished to start claiming my pension when I reached…
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Financially comfortable, health improving, still working – am I solving the wrong problem?
I would be interested in some independent views on my situation, particularly from those who have already retired or moved to part-time work in their late 50s. I am 56, married, and currently work full-time as a Senior Bid Manager. My wife is 53 and works part-time for the NHS. We have one son at university who should…
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Retired Civil Servant needing advice.
Greetings. I am 66 and like so many others, even though retired (since April 7th), I'm not expecting the remainder of my pension any time soon and have yet to receive any correspondence from Capita. I took partial retirement in March 2020 working 3 days 2020-2023 and reverted to two days a week 2023-2026. I am already in…
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Class 3 voluntary NI contributions: why was the 6th back year calculated differently?
Hello everyone! I recently filled all the gaps in my National Insurance record through voluntary Class 3 contributions. I applied before April 2025, received the calculation, paid the required amounts within the deadlines, and my record is now fully up to date. There is one technical point I am still curious about and…
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State Pension forecast only 33 full years retirement date 4 weeks off full year
Hello Forumites I've looked at past threads (and done google searches) but can't see anything that seems to apply to my situation and I see that there are some really knowledgeable Forumites who seem to know about this stuff so I'm posting in the hope that someone can help me unravel my situation. Apologies in advance for…
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LGPS - pensions increase. Confused.
Hi. I am trying to understand how my LGPS pension works. I have made a lot of progress (from a zero start) but …..i have just received my 2026 benefit statement. I’m a deferred member. It says this: Does this mean my annual pension will actually be £21,140.79 ? And my lump sum will be £8,026.10? Also, in 2025 my annual…
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VouchedFor phone numbers linked to different people
I'm likely to retire soon and need an IFA to provide advice on size of lump sums etc etc. Starting on the MSE website I found some pages that pointed me to "vouchedfor". So I entered my location and did a search and a few local names came up. So far so good and I made a note of a person I liked the look of and his…
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Pension for before retirement
Hi all, I am in the NHS Pension which is linked to state pension age so will receive both at the same time if I retire at 68. I would like to retire at 60 or go part time which is in 15 years. To be able to do this I need to have savings/a plan to cover this gap. Due to historical part time working when my children were…
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Women’s underpaid state pension
I recently called DWP to claim my deceased mother’s underpaid state pension, which I understood would fall within the rules according to everything I’ve read - only to be receive a letter advising - “you could have made a claim on behalf of ...following their death, but the time period has now ended” and this should have…
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42 Year olds diary for last min retirement planning and debt free living
I guess you get to a point in your life where you wonder what will my retirement actually be like? I am at that stage now…. This is going to be a long post!!! My plan for this diary is to update it weekly with what I have done, and keep a running total of side hustle earnings (i want to keep under the 1k limit) and the…
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NHS pension: what should I do?
This discussion was created from comments split from: Pensions Planning: The NUMBER.
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Pension pots for over 75 year olds
I currently save into a workplace pension with Royal London. I will be 75 years old next year but am still in full time employment, I expect to continue in my job for a few more years yet. Royal London have my retirement age as 75 so I asked them if this could be changed to 80 but they replied that they do not accept…
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High risk, high reward: A pauper's dream of early retirement.
As regulars on this forum will know, I am trying to retire early while working part time, with a current salary of about £21.5K. Five years ago (after the loss of a loved one) I started to take my life and my finances a bit more seriously. I was 43 at the time, with a combined pension and ISA of £73.5k. I decided to make…
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IFA for pension advice and fee - outcome
Evening… We consulted three IFAs to help us sort out our pensions and prepare for retirement at 65 (I'm 60, he's 63). The first never came back to us, the second wanted to push high risk products, the third was nice and easy and we've had our second meeting with that one tonight. Presentation and outcome was pleasing - we…
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Defend or Attack?
we’re still working towards our number. Target retirement April 2029. It looks like we might hit the number needed in April 2027 next year but we still have to wait until 2029 so a ‘mini coast’ if you like. I want to consider my allocation. Logic suggests maintaining a growth position and I still have two full years of…
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Age 57: ISA bridge or pension top-up for early retirement?
Hi folks, I’m 57 and trying to plan seriously for possible early retirement or semi-retirement. My aim is not to work full-time beyond age 62, and possibly earlier if realistic, partly due to health concerns. I own my home outright with no mortgage and only have a small remaining interest-free debt of around £1,000. I have…
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Marriage allowance, UFPLS and bank interest
Hi, My wife has transferred some of her personal allowance to mine. My wife earns about £10,000 per year. I have a salary of £40,000 per year and am taking a further £13,333 year from my SIPP pension using UFPLS so 25% tax free and the remaining 75% or £10,000 taxable income. That brings my income for the year to £50,000.…
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Topping up DC pension pot and carry forward question
We're planning to top-up my wife's pension pot that hasn't had additional contributions for some time but she does contribute to a work pension (DC). The plan is to top-up to utilise her full allowance for this FY (salary well below the 60K allowance). I assume this figure would be her salary minus her contributions but…
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Paying for care
I am having a challenge raising money for my Mums care. I am her POA. She has been diagnosed with Altzhimers and had started to find it difficult and lonely to live at home alone. She elected to move to a care home ratber than have a live in carer. She is very happy and fully participating in activities locally with…
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Comment on portfolio allocation
Hi, I know its a 'how long is a piece of string' kind of question. Yet, would like to get your comments on this allocation. 60% S&P500 (VUAG) 20% Berkshire Hathaway 20% TDGB (Van Eck developed markets dividend leaders ETF) This is for a pension 17 years from retirement. 100% equities but too defensive? Missing out on the…
Got questions about boosting your state pension by checking your record with the Future Pension Centre and making voluntary National Insurance contributions?
751 discussions
6.5K comments
Most recent: Aged 72, didn't claim state pension at retirement age as NI credits Missing by Brie
16 June at 5:32PM
