Am I well balanced?

System

But you got tax relief on the way in with a pension that you were able to generate returns on, so its a better position than zero tax.
And when you draw it you could do so slowly if you wanted...

AndyT678

MatthewAinsworth wrote: »

But you got tax relief on the way in with a pension that you were able to generate returns on, so its a better position than zero tax.

Doesn't that depend on the future tax rate a bit? Is an ISA still pointless if income tax is a flat rate 60% on all income in 2060?

MatthewAinsworth wrote: »

And when you draw it you could do so slowly if you wanted...

What if you needed to draw it more quickly though? How can you be so certain of both your needs and the wider environment in 40 years time? Why assume nothing will change - 2016 is very different to 1976.

System

Andy - and on the other hand they might introduce a savings tax and your isa might disqualify you from any government help

Nobody knows what the future holds but unless there's a compelling reason to expect change, the status quo is as reliable as crystal balls get

System

What you do early is more likely to be protected

coyrls

MatthewAinsworth wrote: »

Coyris - my isa is a fettered multi asset fund, and if anything my sipp covers what the isa doesn't

And I do accept needing to build cash

Well, this is the history of what you have said about your ISA:

£1100 in FTSE tracking fund isa 85% equity

And I do have some international large cap I forgot to mention - my isa's 85% equity is 60% the FTSE all share mentioned and 25% international big cap

international large cap is in my isa, commercial property is supposed to be in that fund, and was, but they dumped it, I expect they'll bring it back

The isa isn't self select so I can't easily tweak it without switching

[FONT=&quot]I've just remembered the purpose of the isa was to help my son buy a house, I needed to keep up with house prices[/FONT]

I'm confused. 60% FTSE UK All Share seems high to me for a multi-asset fund. Can we just cut to the chase? Who is your ISA with (Nutmeg?) and what fund have you invested in?

AlanP_2

MatthewAinsworth wrote: »

I think that due to the nature of my work, not filling my post would be about as politically acceptable as not having a water or electricity supply.

You haven't said where you work or what you do but it sounds, from the "political" reference above that it is a Public Sector job

Assuming that is correct, and speaking as someone who works in the Public Sector as does my wife, then I can't think of a job that would be that secure.

I hope for your sake what you are doing is so "politically sensitive" that no politician in the next 40 years disagrees with your opinion, and that no senior manager does agree but just combines it with someone else's job anyway.

System

Alan P - would you say that maintaining the structural integrity of nuclear reactors is quite safe, even if its a private sector job?

That's not what I do but an example of something the government would bailout, like the national grid or water supply

My clients are increasing in number, I may at most change the employer I do it under, but the job has to be done, so much so that when we're short they put managers to work with us

Corys - Scottish windows managed growth fund 6, which contains 2 underlying trackers that totalled 60% at one point. It used to have commercial property and does have some international big cap and corporate bondage

bigadaj

MatthewAinsworth wrote: »

Alan P - would you say that maintaining the structural integrity of nuclear reactors is quite safe, even if its a private sector job?

That's not what I do but an example of something the government would bailout, like the national grid or water supply

My clients are increasing in number, I may at most change the employer I do it under, but the job has to be done, so much so that when we're short they put managers to work with us

Corys - Scottish windows managed growth fund 6, which contains 2 underlying trackers that totalled 60% at one point. It used to have commercial property and does have some international big cap and corporate bondage

National grid and water companies are now normal listed companies, much if teh work outsourced and no particular guarantees on the work of any individual.

Interestingly I went for an interview a couple of years ago for work on the new generation of nuclear power stations, many people there had returned to projects having been laid off in the last decad or two with the shrinking requirement in that sector, they just moved into other areas and some were pleased to come back when the need arose.

System

Bigadaj - as I say I may have to change the employer I do it under if that happens, but my experience and determination should get me in

AlanP_2

MatthewAinsworth wrote: »

Alan P - would you say that maintaining the structural integrity of nuclear reactors is quite safe, even if its a private sector job?

That's not what I do but an example of something the government would bailout, like the national grid or water supply

My clients are increasing in number, I may at most change the employer I do it under, but the job has to be done, so much so that when we're short they put managers to work with us

As I said I hope you are right for yours and your families sake.

Back in the 70s and early 80s there was an assumption that the government would bail out coal mining, steel, car making, docks and a whole host of other industries as well - look what happened to them and the number of people they employ and in what jobs.

I've been made redundant from 4 "safe" jobs so far and have had 3 different careers. I suspect those people in the early years of their working life now will have even more upheaval, but as I say let's hope not from your point of view.