Need a Pension - any advice much appreciated!

jamesd

TRUSt_NO_1, not quite. I'm suggesting that there has been a big drop and that now is a time when small regular purchases and Pound cost averaging for purchases over several years is likely to result in buying throughout the low part of the cycle and then profiting through the next rise. I'm not suggesting a large lump sum purchase today or any plan to sell in less than a few years.

It's entirely likely that there will be further drops in commercial property for a while, that's a key part of why I specified several years of buying. Same for retail and banking: both have annual report season coming and doing most of the buying after that seems likely to result in buying at lower prices.

Trying to time the bottom of the market isn't easy. Regular buying starting before it and going on through it is much easier.

Personally, I think that it's an interesting option for a Halifax Sharebuilder account and a wide range of different companies.

Property funds delaying taking money out doesn't bother me. We're talking in terms of pensions and other long term investing.

EagerLearner

Hi all and thanks for your latest thoughts - my investment funds took a further beating today so who knows what tomorrow morning will hold when I log into Hargreaves.

The good news is that the (Tesco) first £50 of shares I bought last week at least aren't losing anything yet (I am £1.80 up - whoooo). I am starting to buy £50 here and there as per their Sharebuilder thingy.

Then in terms of the SIPP I will have to think about what funds to invest in that will be 'safer' for the long term, whilst also battling with my conscience that I can 'afford' to risk more as it's a long term thing. I initially chose Jupiter Ecology and Neptune Global as I feel that long term they will do well and they are not too heavy on banking.

Then will need to decide on the Investment Funds whether I continue the monthly £50 to HL which is currently in Allianz BRIC which is looking (now) decidedly riskier.

Sorting your 'future' out is a great aim for January but a confusing one for such a relatively new investor!

ManAtHome

If it's long-term stuff, resist the temptation to check it every day... The FTSE 100 was around 3500 5 years ago (low-point was 3400 something March 2003 IIRC), was probably below 1200 when I started the pension.

Always been a good idea to have some cash as well as investments - will always tide you over until it's a good time to sell.