What to look for in a stakeholder pension provider?

MadMat

I'm 41, and a self employed taxi driver. income is variable and seasonal, so I'd like to be able to be flexible with contributions. I'm expecting to declare around 20k income on my self assessment for 2012/2013.

What should I be looking for in a Stakeholder pension provider? having worked PAYE most of my life these things have always before been arranged for me!

I also have some funds in a high street banks final salary scheme - I believe I'm probably best off leaving those funds where they are rather than transferring to any new plan?

TIA

Mat

dunstonh

A stakeholder pension is a basic product with basic investments and limited features. I actually expect to never do a stakeholder pension again. Not that I did many over the last few years as it increasingly became obsolete.

When you say flexible with contributions, what do you mean? are you making ad hoc payments or do you want to make a regular you can stop/start?

MadMat

I'd like to set up a small basic payment - £10 a week or so and then make top-up payments when I have a good week!

Mat

dunstonh

That would be a stakeholder pension then as the contribution is so low. You will probably find only 1 or 2 providers go that low on a contribution (when you look at most pensions today, £100 is the typical minimum premium). You are not going to get a lot of choice at £10 per payment. If you moved to monthly then you would get a little more as the stakeholder rules require £20 as the mininmum.