To not bother with a pension?

PuzzledDave

Look up, look into the distance. Somewhere out there is the finish line. When you cross it you won't have to ever put up with your !!!!!! boss or stupid customers ever again.

The question you should ask yourself is, how far is that line away ? If it looks too far, then save more.

Alexland

Is there any possibility that your partner would lose access to the DB pension (as a result of job change, redundancy, scheme closure, etc) before they have the ability to build up the £40k per annum of benefits?

I agree the £5k savings pot seems very light for your liabilities so this is probably the initial priority for the next few months.

Alex

nrsql

You need to consider inflation when looking at those figures as it's a way in the future.
Also the free money from a pension assumes that the money taken out will benefit from reduced tax which may not be the case here.

Personally I would go with an ISA (or cash/mortgage payments if flexible) until you are closer to retirement age to reduce the risk. If you end up forming a company for your freelance work then you can catch up with pension contributions then (future rules allowing).

Dox

You're making some assumptions which aren't borne out by general statistics: that you will remain happily married (hope you will) and that your husband will keep his job (hope he will) until he retires, with the ability to go on building up a final salary pension (if he's in the private sector, that is highly unlikely).

Having said all that, don't let tax breaks dictate your savings decisions. A bigger emergency fund may be a much better use of your cash for the next year or so while you build up your business. Might be worth thinking about some life cover in case anything nasty happens to you (hope it won't).