How to start a pension on disability benefits

Clareerin

Hi I hope I can get some advice.
I have a long term health problem that has left me unable to work.
I receive contributions based ESA and standard rate PIP.
My partner works full time with his own workplace pension.
I worked as a nurse in NHS before becoming ill but this was before automatic enrolment pensions so I have nothing.
I'm worried about my future if I don't start saving something now but no idea of the best saving options for a pension given my circumstances.
Maybe a Lifetime Isa?
I'm 37 with 4 children under the age of 12.
Thank you in advance.

Marcon

I suppose the first question is: can you afford to contribute to a pension (although I'm aware the flip side of that is can you afford not to...)?

I guess a simple stakeholder would be your best bet. You'll get tax relief at source (the provider claims basic rate tax and adds it to the pension pot, even if you don't pay tax in the first place), there will be a default fund if you don't want to make your own choices, there is no exit charge if you choose to transfer your funds to another pension later in life and you can make very low/flexible contributions.

Silvertabby

I worked as a nurse in NHS before becoming ill but this was before automatic enrolment pensions so I have nothing.

Are you sure about that? The NHS (and all other public sector pensions) have been 'automatic entry' for many years. Benefits include ill health pensions, paid from any age.

If you kept any old payslips, then check for deductions for 'NHS Pension' or similar wording.

LHW99

Your partner could make payments into a pension on your behalf, and you would get the tax relief, provided it is financially doable as said above

xylophone

I worked as a nurse in NHS before becoming ill but this was before automatic enrolment pensions so I have nothing.

Like Silvertabby, I'm wondering whether this is the case.

Are you certain that you are not a deferred member of the NHS pension scheme?

https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/nhs-pensions

As you are too ill to work, if you are a member of the scheme, would you be able to access your benefits on grounds of ill health?

Even if you have no "relevant earnings", you can still make a net payment of £2880 per annum to a personal pension/stakeholder and receive tax relief of £720.

Example

https://www.cavendishonline.co.uk/stakeholder-pension

MEM62

Clareerin wrote: »

I worked as a nurse in NHS before becoming ill but this was before automatic enrolment pensions so I have nothing.

This is unlikely. You wold have been enrolled in the NHS scheme. You need to check.

Clareerin

To be clearer re NHS pension, I had to withdraw the pension I had accrued with them some years ago and so that pot is empty, I then worked privately with no pension. Thank you for advice.

JoeCrystal

I hope you transferred the pension rather than opting for a refund of your contribution?

Silvertabby

JoeCrystal wrote: »

I hope you transferred the pension rather than opting for a refund of your contribution?

Doubtful - OP has said that she has no pension benefits at all.

Clareerin

Well no, otherwise I would not need to start a pension. I very much wish I had been able to transfer it rather than withdraw it to help towards bills and food on the table.

Clareerin

I was simply hoping for advice on starting savings/pension without employment or high income.