Pensions, annuities & retirement planning

After counting years/ months down, I find myself thinking retirement will be boring - I get bored when it's a long weekend like this one (Scotland got an extra public holiday for the football). I've therefore decided to stay on for a year or so. After renovations to the house and travelling, what else do retirees do? I…

West Yorkshire Pension Fund: I only have around £750 but I guess buying more pension is the best option. I joined in 2007 Does it operate on the same 12/1 ratio? So if I claim the pension for longer than 12 years, it will be the best option?

hi, I retired at 52 and living off savings and investments recently got access To a small LGPS which covers all my bills from age 55 but doesn't provide any extra for living or travel supporting children, large purchases, etc. have a full from state pension at 67 and large mortgage free property that could be downsized…

Hi I am looking to take an extended sabbatical (1-2 years) which probably lead into early retirement at 52 years. I was planning to take this March /April next year. Before I give any notice to my employer and I am currently still receiving a salary. Is there anything one recommends that should be applied for or…

Hi, With 117 weekends to go before I'm 67 (which is when I want to collect my DC's) , all my ducks are pretty much in a row but I would appreciate a pointer or two to websites similar to 'annuityready' that enable me to find quotes that do not entail a call back from agents who I am sure only have my welfare at heart! I…

Hello Retiring next year at age 58 DB Pension at 60 of 8k SIPP value at 58 will be about 330k ISA value £200k Amount needed per year £20k Full SP at 67 My initial plan was to take the £16,760 from my SIPP for 58-60 then £8,760 for 60-67 with the aim of not paying any tax until I get the SP and using my ISA to top up to the…

In common with many platforms, Index Linked gilts are shown in my Interactive Investor portfolio value at the clean price. Obviously, the market price is much higher. When I come to take out 25% of my portfolio as tax free cash, do the Index-Linked gilts get uplifted to the current market price in determining the value of…

EDITED 18th October 2026 : Please see page 28 for a SIPP holding update since the image below. :) A note about diversification: I know it’s important. I’ve done it all my life. Had plenty of bits and pieces of ETFs like VWRL. But sometimes you have to just go for it. That’s what high conviction means to…

I’m posting on behalf of my husband, as a warning to anyone with a Standard Life pension who is planning to take their 25% tax-free lump sum. Today (13 October 2026), my husband contacted Standard Life to take the 25% tax-free cash from his pension. The amount is close to £200,000 and represents his life savings. He was…

I am just about to retire at 68 and have a decent DC pot , I am going to get a annuity at good enhanced rate to cover my basic expenses and more with my state pension around to around 27K before tax. That gives me just 23K headroom up to the 50K higher tax band. I know with 25% tax free lump sum that would go up to approx…

Hi , I am planning on taking my DB pension at 57 after 40 years . ( 4.5 years) Approx 17500 + 110k reducing to 9000 when state kicks in so a small uplift . Or 15000 and 90k and a full state pension. I favour the former , as I dont know how long I live . But ive noticed on all forums the standard reply is to plan until 90…

Folks - Apologies for what may be an idiotic question, but is there any scenario where selling an ILG would be more profitable than waiting until it matures?

We are asking a financial advisor to do a cash flow analysis for pension planning, this a one off job, about £400. We are filling in a fact finding form all quite standard. What I’d like to know is if they will do any credit checks, I am expecting AML, but is it likely they will check our credit report? Any FA out there or…

Hell Everyone I recently transferred from my SIPP into a new provider. To my surprise a few weeks later I have received a Tax code notice from HMRC which shows a new line item for Personal Pension Relief that increases my tax-free amount with a new tax code reflecting this. The explanation in the explanatory note to this…

I have a workplace pension fund from a previous employer. I was certainly in the 40% tax bracket, so should be able to claim additional tax rebate from the Government. However the Gov say I am not eligible. My problem is that my payslips, and the information on the pension website show that the contributions to the pension…

Hi I currently have a 6 year gilt ladder running to see me to 67. I like the certainty it gives me. I have around another £400k sitting in a Royal London pension account and, again for the certainty, I am considering taking all that and investing it in government gilt T32H or TR32 which mature in March or June 2032 to…

Good afternoon, I'm looking to retire in 3.5 years time at 57 and wanted to share the basics of my plan for validation, other options or alternatives. I understand everyone's plan is unique to the individual and I am potentially seeking advice from an IFA. I haven't found another forum that supports the discussion for…

I’m trying to open a bank account for a privately administered Small Self-Administered Pension Scheme (SSAS), with just two members (my wife and me). The scheme is registered with HMRC, and we have the trust deed and supporting documentation in place. I’ve approached HSBC, Barclays, Lloyds, Bank of Scotland, Handelsbanken,…

Hello, I wondered if anyone else has experienced the same situation as me. In June I arranged with my pension provider Royal London to take my tax free allowance and the balance to be paid as an annuity via Standard Life. I was advised that it would take between 8 - 12 weeks to set up. All the paperwork was returned within…

First please forgive my ignorance around this subject. I currently work full time in the NHS and plan to retire in about 10 years time. As I understand things, this is my current (non state) pension status. I have two NHS pensions. The 1995 NHS pension is frozen as a new pension scheme was introduced in 2015. The 1995 NHS…