I'm 50 now and hope to retire at 60. I have been paying into Vanguard Lifestrategy for a few months now. I have just 9.5 years to pay in and grow, do you think this is a long enough period to invest in or should I stick with cash if shares and bonds are likely to take a hit in a few years?

Richard | Hull | 25/06/2020 | 33

• Online Investment Platforms
• Funds
• Pension

I am approaching 75 and have mostly saved into cash - should I open a Stocks and Shares ISA for two years and then cash it in?

Dale | UK | 23/03/2020 | 0

• Private Pension
• Stocks and Shares ISA
• Workplace Pension

Should I cash out my final salary pension during the COVID-19 market decline?

| UK | 23/03/2020 | 0

• Workplace Pension

I really don’t like this market meltdown during the coronavirus outbreak. Should I sell and just get out?

| 19/03/2020 | 17

• Private Pension
• Stocks and Shares ISA
• Junior ISA
• Lifetime ISA
• Shares
• Robo Adviser
• Online Investment Platforms
• Funds
• GIA
• Pension

Should I still make regular ISA and pension investments in the current COVID-19 turmoil? Or is it better saving to cash?

Andrew | UK | 17/03/2020 | 5

• Private Pension
• Stocks and Shares ISA
• Cash
• Pension

I'm thinking of moving into a drawdown SIPP, taking my 25% and leaving the rest invested until I need a regular income in my mid 60s. I am trying to find a financial adviser willing to review my plans, but they all want an ongoing relationship. Where can I find an adviser who will do a one off review? Also I am unsure whether financial investment protection is per fund or per SIPP.

Susan | London | 16/07/2019 | 16

• Private Pension
• Pension
• Workplace Pension

I have an inheritance to invest of £150,000. I am not paying into a pension at the moment but have £125,000 in my pension pot, and have fairly substantial money in Stocks and Shares ISAs. Should I put more into stocks and shares over a 10 year period, add to my pension funds, or invest in bricks and mortar with no mortgage?

Mark | West Midlands | 12/07/2019 | 3

• Stocks and Shares ISA
• Workplace Pension
• Mortgage

I am looking at consolidating my different pension pots. My main concern is - will I lose out by transferring my Civil Service pension to a new place? By the way, I am loving Boring Money! I’m really keen to start taking control of my finances and it’s proving so helpful... not making me feel like a clown for not understanding all the financial faffery! Thanks!

Hannah | Herefordshire | 08/07/2019 | 0

• Private Pension
• Workplace Pension

I am thinking of setting up a SIPP to diversify my investments and spread the risk. I'm nervous about doing my own investments, so I don't really know where to begin. Are there SIPPs which do it for you? Or if not, should I continue investing in my previous workplace pension?

Holly | Sussex | 03/07/2019 | 0

• Private Pension
• Stocks and Shares ISA
• Workplace Pension

I have a small pension which I have not drawn on yet, and I am seriously thinking about cashing it in, as I’m worried Brexit will mean substantial losses. Would I be better off just leaving it where it is?

Anne | South Yorkshire | 19/06/2019 | 0

• Pension

I work for my company which funds my SIPP directly. I will be receiving compensation in the coming months - is it possible to pay SIPP contributions from the compensation payment? If pension significant contributions are not possible, what might we consider when looking for a tax efficient home for the compensation?

Andy | Lancashire | 12/06/2019 | 3

• Private Pension
• Stocks and Shares ISA
• Workplace Pension

How can I find out how my Aviva SIPP pension is performing against the competition? I'm 51. The fund value is £161K and it was opened a year ago. Appreciate any tips.

Danny | London | 30/05/2019 | 1

• Private Pension
• Pension

I'm in my late 30s, have a mortgage, a baby, no outstanding loans or credit cards, three pensions, and two Cash ISAs. I’d like to invest to renovate our house, help fund our children’s education and help them onto the property ladder, and retire as soon as possible! I considered a LISA but thought I might be better paying off more of the mortgage. I'm also confused about using a platform for a Stocks and Shares ISA. Any advice would be appreciated! Keep up the good work, I’m impressed with how refreshingly approachable your website is.

Nick | Berkshire | 29/05/2019 | 4

• Stocks and Shares ISA
• Junior ISA
• Lifetime ISA
• Pension
• Mortgage

I have two pension pots, one of which is a stakeholder - this one is currently worth £120,000 - the other is approximately £50,000. I will be 60 in 4 years time and am anxious that my pots may not be growing fast enough. I currently input £300 per month into the Stakeholder. I do not intend to access either of these accounts until I am 65. Can I combine both these pensions, or should I leave them as is? I would appreciate an opinion on this. Many thanks, Maggie

Maggie | Gloucestershire | 29/05/2019 | 0

• Private Pension
• Workplace Pension

Hello, I already have a workplace pension. Can I also have a private pension? If so, I have a LISA as well. Can I have all three in place?

Precious | Surrey | 23/05/2019 | 0

• Private Pension
• Lifetime ISA
• Pension
• Workplace Pension

I am a self-employed 55 year old, with only a state pension. What can I do to increase my money for retirement?

Sandra | Dumfries and Galloway | 21/05/2019 | 1

• Private Pension
• Stocks and Shares ISA
• Lifetime ISA
• State Pension
• Pension
• Workplace Pension

We have just retired to France. Our pensions cover our expenses but we also have £230k which we would like to invest for a monthly income. Could you please explain the low-risk options we might want to consider?

Keith | France | 10/05/2019 | 2

• Private Pension
• Stocks and Shares ISA
• Online Investment Platforms
• Pension

I'm in my very early 20s, and earning well. I have no debts or dependants. I have a Stocks and Shares ISA, and am weighing up the pros and cons of a General Investment Account vs a Private Pension. What should I keep in mind?

Cecily | Berkshire | 08/04/2019 | 0

• Private Pension
• Stocks and Shares ISA
• Lifetime ISA
• GIA
• Workplace Pension

When I retired in 2018, I considered consolidating my pensions for income drawdown. Recently I spoke to an advisers aligned to the investment philosophy of Albion Strategic Consulting, but was scared off again. I understand the basics, but am now totally unsettled as to the direction I should take and if, at such a critical stage, I should invest in an IFA on a regular basis.

Rob | Hertfordshire | 20/03/2019 | 3

• Private Pension
• Pension

If my son increases his pension contribution, I have read it may affect the amount he can borrow on a mortgage. Is this correct? Should he take a SIPP out as well? Is there any advantage in maxing out his managed Nutmeg Lifetime ISA in the next financial year?

Richard | Hertfordshire | 06/03/2019 | 3

• Private Pension
• Stocks and Shares ISA
• Lifetime ISA
• Pension
• Mortgage

I am 65 and still working. I have a workplace pension, which was closed and replaced with a retirement saver pension. I contribute to this via salary sacrifice. I also have a personal pension serviced by an IFA. Should I move my personal pension fund to a SIPP provider at this late stage of my life? I would like to consolidate the workplace retirement saver and personal pension fund together and manage it myself.

Den | South Yorkshire | 27/02/2019 | 0

• Private Pension
• Pension
• Workplace Pension

Trying to get a bit more pro-active with my pension. If my money had been in an online managed fund like Nutmeg for example, is it reasonable to assume that as the markets fell last year the funds would have been managed in real(ish) time to limit the damage? If so, is it therefore a no-brainer to transfer my pension to an online managed pension or is it not quite as simple as that?

David | London | 08/02/2019 | 3

• Private Pension
• Robo Adviser
• Pension

Hello, I really enjoy your website and find it useful and concise. My question is, what is meant by long term savings? I am 54, so what should I consider to be an appropriate time frame for any investment I make, that could supply the best results?

Jennifer | Essex | 16/01/2019 | 11

• Online Investment Platforms
• Funds
• Pension

I have an old pension and they have written to me saying that they are going to enhance my pension if I transfer it out. The company is also offering free independent advice. I have £117,000 in the pension at the moment, which would give me £6400 a year at 65. I am 61 in April and would like to finish work at that point. I am not sure how much extra they will give me. Have you any ideas or suggestions to help me decide? Thanks.

Nicholas | Carmarthenshire | 04/01/2019 | 0

• Pension
• Workplace Pension

From my retirement I received a lump sum of money and a monthly pension. I have £100,000 that I do not need for the foreseeable future... One of my main concerns with Financial Advisers are their costs... All I want is simply to see this money grow to its potential, sensibly and above inflation... Therefore my next thoughts are Stocks and Shares ISAs... My only concerns here are the current Brexit problems - I saw the FTSE drop this past week. I cannot find any information out there to assist with my decision making if this is certainly a good time to invest... I am aware that I can place £20,000 for this year. Come April 2019 I place another £20,000 and so on until the £100,000 has been utilised. Do I have to place it into the same fund or can I choose another different fund with a different company?... Please can you help to ease some of this burden, which has proved an awful part of my retirement and made me frightened to spend any money.

Katherine | Derbyshire | 02/01/2019 | 0

• Private Pension
• Stocks and Shares ISA
• Cash
• Robo Adviser
• Online Investment Platforms
• Workplace Pension

I am a 30 year old British expat living and working in the Netherlands. I worked in the UK for 5 years but to my knowledge I did not have a work pension of any sort. I've been working in the Netherlands for the last 4 years, and again have no pension (my company does not provide anything). I'm getting increasingly worried about my future retirement and my lack of any kind of pension. Firstly, I am not sure what - if any - state pension I could receive (either from UK or Netherlands) but I assume not much. Secondly, I'm ready to start investing on a monthly basis into a private pension fund, but I have no idea what the best option for me would be. Really lost and confused, and would really appreciate any advice you might have.

Lucinda | Kent | 09/10/2018 | 0

• Private Pension
• State Pension
• Workplace Pension

My wife, 56, is still working but has a final salary scheme which she is drawing as well - currently £26k per annum. Her current employer's pension scheme is defined contribution, and her fund stands at £1.050m. Therefore, her total pension is around £1.57m. We protected her Lifetime Allowance at £1.25m, but all growth will now be taxed at the excess rate. My idea is to take the 25% tax free amount out of the defined contribution pot, and reinvest it in the same funds as the pension. This will then remove growth on the 25% from the excess tax rate to a capital gain when sold, thereby saving a considerable amount of tax. Am I right?

Rod | Hampshire | 05/09/2018 | 1

• Private Pension
• Workplace Pension

My wife and I have recently separated. The equity in the house is going to be split 50/50. We don't have any other meaningful assets. We have agreed to co-parent the children equally. My wife is requesting that I pay child maintenance, child care and school expenses. A CMS document states that shared child care results in no child maintenance payments. However, I do agree with the child care and school expenses payments. Our daughter has Autism Spectrum Disorder, so my wife gets a Disability Living Allowance for her and also works full time. If I don't pay the child maintenance, child care and school expenses, my wife is threatening to claim spousal maintenance, and take half my pension. Should I pay the £350/month or take my chances in court?

D | Lincolnshire | 03/09/2018 | 1

• Pension
• Other

I am 73 and cautious. There are two areas that your advice would be helpful..what if you just spend thousands on buying the gold standard footsie companies like shell and the rest and keep them for five years and then cash them in ?

DB | UK | 24/07/2018 | 6

• Robo Adviser
• Online Investment Platforms
• Funds
• Pension

My wife needs to set up a SIPP with a good value, low cost, low maintenance underlying investment portfolio. We want a good mobile app from a well respected provider. Where can we see the options and directly compare historic returns so we can make a decision?

Guy | Hertfordshire | 17/07/2018 | 1

• Private Pension
• Pension

I was considering applying for Individual protection 2016, which I understand would give me an LTA of £1,021,390. However, following the inflation rise of the Lifetime Allowance, it seems the LTA is now at £1,030,000. It now seems pointless applying for Individual protection 2016. Have I got this right?

David | London | 12/06/2018 | 0

• Pension

If I take a lump sum from my pension at age 55, what is the rate of tax after the first 25%?

Judy | UK | 17/05/2018 | 1

• Pension

How long does it take to release money from your pension at 55 years old?

Diane | West Yorkshire | 01/05/2018 | 1

• Pension

Do you have information on taking your pension pot before retirement? My husband is 62, on a final salary scheme & is trying to get clear information on it.

Jo | 17/04/2018 | 3

• Pension
• Workplace Pension

Hi, I've got an old D.B. pension, approximate value £12k. I would like to invest & top up each month. Who would you recommend? Also I would like to make an investment, & don't know where to start? Thanks

Eve | 04/04/2018 | 5

• Funds
• Pension

My question is about my wife's pension valuation in a divorce situation. She is on a final salary scheme working for a national charity organisation. I feel the CETV value is too low and certainly does not take into account the inbuilt benefits such as guranteed final salary, life insurance.

Jay | UK | 12/02/2018 | 0

• Pension

I am a 59 yr old retired lady with no income but I have reasonable equity..is it worth starting a pension or is it too late?

LL | Norfolk | 06/02/2018 | 2

• Private Pension
• Pension

Hi, If I take a lump sum from my pension at age 55, what is the rate of tax after the first 25% ??

Gareth | Hampshire | 26/01/2018 | 0

• Pension

Can losses in a pension SIPP be offset against anything?

Henryk | Hampshire | 17/01/2018 | 0

• Private Pension
• Pension

I am a 59 yr old retired lady with no income but I have reasonable equity..is it worth starting a pension or is it too late?

LL | Norfolk | 10/11/2017 | 2

• Private Pension
• Shares
• Pension

If I were retired and drawing my pension, can I earn an income from doing some sports coaching too? If so, how much can I earn without it affecting my pension? Thanks

Charlotte | Devon | 07/11/2017 | 0

• Pension

Please help me. Choosing a pension from Aviva. It asks if I want growth or income? Which one do I choose ? I'm 46 .

Ria | Greater London | 11/09/2017 | 9

• Private Pension
• Pension

Why should I bother with paying into a pension at my age of 55 years now when I have never had one?

Tee | Greater London | 07/09/2017 | 4

• Private Pension
• Pension

What's this Auto Enrolment thingy?

Derek | Greater London | 06/09/2017 | 0

• Workplace Pension

How can I find out how much my State Pension is likely to be?

Abigail | Greater London | 06/09/2017 | 0

• State Pension
• Workplace Pension

What might a savings pot of £100,000 get me as a retirement income?

Aboodi | Greater London | 06/09/2017 | 2

• Pension

Pensions vs ISA - which one is best?

Roderick | Greater London | 06/09/2017 | 0

• Stocks and Shares ISA
• Junior ISA
• Lifetime ISA
• Pension

What are the changes with pension annuities? My mother in law has asked as her retirement is looming. I've read in the press it's changing but it all feels confusing. I just need some simple clear advice. Thanks

Keith | Greater London | 06/09/2017 | 2

• Private Pension
• Pension