Help with Pensions.

Dazed_and_C0nfused

Bluebird09 said:

Thank you, that makes sense now. So when I'm looking at my £5k based on my Classic pension, as long as my FT equivelent salary hasn't reduced since 2015, this could be pretty much accurate? 
As a low earner there is no real benefit in me adding to my Civil Service pension as I won't benefit for tax reasons? 

Yes.  Don't you get annual statements for the Classic pension?

Bluebird09

Ths is all really helpful, thanks so much! 
When I log onto my Civil Service pension portal it says £5k at age 60 and lump sum of £15k, so I'm assuming this must be right.
Those calculations are really helpful too, and yes it gives me something to work with. My mortgage will be paid off by 62, and I'm thinking if I wanted to retire then I'd have to lose 25% of my Alpha pension (5% per year), so unless I make it up somewhere else for those 5 years I dont expect Ii'll be able to retire then.   
I really need to sit and do the sums don't I!.
Thanks so much all, I really appreciate your help!!