Boost my wife's pension situation?

madcow2006

My wife who is aged 50 works 15 hours a week part time at a local school & pays into the local government pension scheme (now CARE) at the rate of 5.5%. Her pension forecast is not that great so we are thinking how to boost her pension position so she maximises her income & use of tax free allowance when she retires. We have a few of questions for you pension gurus;
1) Do you think it would be best to pay extra into her existing pension scheme in some way or take out an additional standalone pension?
2) I am a higher rate tax payer on a final salary scheme & paying AVCs. Can I make contributions into my wife's pension scheme & still get tax relief on those contributions?
3) Are there any recommended other routes for us to take?

Cheers Madcow :beer:

xylophone

My inclination would be to open a standalone pension so that she could choose to retire earlier than LGPS allows without actuarial reduction.

http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/+/www.direct.gov.uk/en/pensionsandretirementplanning/beginnersguidetopensions/dg_10026927

"You can put money into someone else's personal pension - like your husband, wife, civil partner, child or grandchild's. They'll get tax relief added to it at the basic rate, but this won't affect your own tax bill."

http://www.hl.co.uk/pensions/sipp/how-much-can-i-invest

madcow2006

Thanks Xylophone. I'll have a read of the links

Madcow