Pension: can the capital be ever withdrawn?

caveat_emptor

whiteflag wrote:

As I suspected, despite the fact the OP has thanked everyone and posted a well thought out reply, were now off down the same well worn path with ED and DH going over the same old ground.

That's a bit below the belt. For us newbies DH and ED make valuable contributions to these boards and long may it continue down the same well worn path.

[Deleted User]

I would agree with you c e

DH and ED can`t help sparring, but they each have very good points

whiteflag_3

I love the sparring, pity there wasnt more of it , I think Dh's contributions to this forum are great but how many times do we have have the annuity Vs drawdown , ISA vs Pension, Sipp vs Pension debate.

I welcome anything new, but DH & ED are clearly never going to agree so why post page upon page of opinion that has already be said by them on other threads.

EdInvestor

Actually, DH and I probably agree on more than you think

One reason these issues come up and get debated so regularly is that there is no right or wrong answer to a question which applies to everyone across the board.One of the fascinating things about personal finance is that it is so personal - it often boils down to a matter of taste.

But the more info that people get, the better, as it should help them to come to their own decision - and also to monitor what they're being told by others, so there's less chance they will be ripped off.

dunstonh

Maybe its time for Pal to clear the existing stickies at the top of the pensions forum and lets replace them with new stickies that remain on specific subject. i.e. a thread on contracting out, another on ISAs vs Pensions, SIPPs vs rest, annuity vs drawdown.

If we had proper threads on those we could just post the links to the threads rather than repeat the same discussion points.

whiteflag_3

EdInvestor wrote:

Actually, DH and I probably agree on more than you think

Well you sure hide it well!

Pal

See new thread on just this subject.

MikeAndHisLovelyPlant

whiteflag wrote:

Yawn! can anything that hasnt been said umpteen times before be added to this tired discussion

Yes!

How about: "Beware a bearded nun!" ?

Also, this particular thread doesn't mention tax shifting
(ie if you are a high rate tax payer now and expect to only pay basic rate in retirement then you end up paying in £60 and getting back £25 tax free and £75 taxable @ (currently) 22%)
[give or take investment performance charges etc]

Or

Once you buy an annuity you have stream of cashflows and NO capital. If you die 5 minutes later then it's NOT YOUR MONEY ANY MORE. You made a bet and you lost - but you're dead anyway - NB Beware dependants. If you die 50 years later then you won your bet, the money doesn't stop.

Annuities are probably 'fair' value - it's a very competitive market, unpalatable figures maybe, but they reflect low interest rates and longer lives.

Yes, I'm sure these points are elsewhere too, doesn't mean they're not relevant here.

Mike