I have some money, what would you do?

Eco_Miser

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82148962#Comment_82148962

I started my investing journey with £12.5k, back when 5% initial fees were normal. Now investing can be almost fee free.

However the OP's horizon of 10 years is a bit short for investing.

Rich1976

you need to decide what you want to use the money for.

Do you have an emergency fund?

Are you saving up for anything in particular over the next few years?

Are you of working age and paying enough into a pension, workplace or otherwise?

ZeroSum

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82148370#Comment_82148370

The NI one is only true is scheme is salary sacrifice. Many schemes arent for various reasons

Linton

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82148382#Comment_82148382

The inability to get access until near to retirement is an important factor. However you cannot ignore the potential tax savings. Firstly there is the 25% Tax Free Lump Sum.

Secondly and in some cases far more important is the deferring of tax from when you are earning, possibly paying higher rate tax, to a point in time when you are more likely to be paying basic rate tax or possibly none at all.

Baldytyke88

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82149216#Comment_82149216

Since it benefits employees, why don't all employers do it via salary sacrifice? Why do local authorities and NHS etc. do this but not all employers?

ZeroSum

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82149439#Comment_82149439

If you have min wage employees, then its illegal to sal sacrifice as then paying below min wage. Also public sector only do it for private AVCs & not for the main pension

Section62

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82148962#Comment_82148962

I best go back in time and tell the 20 year old me not to bother opening a Co-op S&S ISA and putting an initial £500 in their US growth fund, if it is pointless.

The OP's circumstances should inform whether prioritising savings over investing would be the better idea, not just the amount they have available to invest.