Only freedom will do

elantan

Tbh the current job I am doing is the only job ever where I have worked with people that even talk about their pensions, and that's because they are getting an ok one from their employer, I dont know any of them that I have worked with that have any other pensions plans, its their occupational pension and that is it.

I remember several times in my last job trying to talk to the ladies about pensions, one of them claimed she was all sorted as she had opted out of serps when she worked for a certain company and her pension is fine, but as time wore on I soon understood she didnt have a clue, she worked for a company for 2 years and paid a pension into it for those two years and her company opted out of serps so she is under the impression she doesnt pay any NI at all ... nothing ... even all these years later her NI goes to her serps. Tried to explain that NI covers more than just pension and that maybe it might be a good idea to think of things other than just that one works pension and the SP ( which she says she wont receive because she has opted out of serps)

I would often get this blank look, not just from her but from the majority of people I spoke to about it, there seems to be this whole idea amongst some people I know that its ok I will have my SP and it will keep me fine.

I genuinely think its a bomb waiting to go off.

Pensions seem to really confuse and scare people, they hear a few horror stories and panic, I am currently working with people that have never even considered early retirement ( with a very very few exceptions) they just say I will retire at 65/66/67 etc... and the type of job we have to do, really should not be done by anyone of those ages no matter how healthy they are.

All we can do Ed is make sure ourselves, loved ones and friends are aware as they can be, make sure they are ok and keep working towards our goals

edinburgher

Mrs E took DD for a 'free' gymboree class. They now want her to sign up for a £31/m recurring class (weekly)! Am I completely out of touch, or is this ridiculous? All 3 of us go swimming once a week for less :eek:

elantan

Wait till the music thing starts ... can't remember what it's called ... and baby yoga and all the other wee clubs

edinburgher

So, any practical tips for avoiding crap activities but identifying ones that will be of most benefit for DD? I'm not made of £31/m classes, that's double an adult gym membership in our neck of the woods.

PrincessLou

I say save your money for when she's a toddler. A baby of your DD's age gets just as much stimulation from a walk in the park, at baby groups or being at home playing with toys and interacting with family members than they will at these groups. I personally think they are just money-making schemes for clueless (no offence) first time parents who are made to believe that their baby will somehow be missing out by not attending such activities.

elantan

I would agree tbh ... bo jangles is I think the music thingy they have for wee yins up here

edinburgher

No offence taken Princess Lou. After our first flush of useless baby purchases I am starting to develop an eye for BS

elantan

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl: love it

edinburgher

The slightly frustrating thing is that Mrs E appears to have given up on the free class at the library that was both a highlight for DD, but a cracking way for Mrs E to meet her fellow yuppy yummy mummies (let's be honest, these classes are 50% an excuse to socialise).... I don't think I'll understand women if I live to be 100.

ajmoney

elantan wrote: »

All we can do Ed is make sure ourselves, loved ones and friends are aware as they can be, make sure they are ok and keep working towards our goals

I have to admit that I haven't got a clue when I read all this but would like to start to understand in "thicky" terms. I know a bit about my pension from work due to Mr AJM already receiving his although thre have been some changes since he got his. I think the powers that be deliberately don't make things easy to understand so you have to pay people to help etc. Is there anywhere I can start reading up so I have some sort of idea about what I should even consider?