No pension.

therivierakid

I'm 29 and my current employer doesn't offer any sort of pension scheme. The boss has been saying he will sort it out for over a year now.

I paid into a different pension in each of my three previous jobs and they are all currently frozen.

Two questions: does my employer have to offer a pension scheme? If not, should I start looking for a private one and get the money in the other pensions transferred?

TIA

dunstonh

does my employer have to offer a pension scheme?

It doesnt become compulsary until 2012 when the NPSS comes in. Your boss will either have to arrange a pension scheme (which at minmum matches the NPSS) or you join the NPSS.

If not, should I start looking for a private one and get the money in the other pensions transferred?

Depends on the types of pensions. There are many types (although you wouldnt believe that from the media who class pension as being one thing).

It may be worth doing a stocks and shares ISA instead of a pension at this time and wait until the NPSS is in and your employer has had to make the decision. You can then decide whether to keep the ISA or transfer it into the NPSS or pension (if one set up). If you pay into a pension now, you will not be able to transfer that into the NPSS. So, the ISA gives you choice.