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 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 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

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

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 want to invest £10,000. I cannot see on your website how to do this. Please explain.

Clive | Carmarthenshire | 29/04/2019 | 0

• Other

I've been reading about Beaufort Securities, and how they potentially didn't ring-fence investor money properly. What is the best way to avoid this happening to my money?

Jenny | Greater Manchester | 29/04/2019 | 4

• Stocks and Shares ISA
• GIA
• Other

We have £100,000 in Premium Bonds to invest. We need it as serious illness has changed our lives completely. We have been advised to invest in a Capital Investment Bond, but fees seem high to me - 0.3% and 1.7% management and on-going advice. I'm considering Wealthify or other online funds. Can you help?

Melanie | London | 25/03/2019 | 1

• Online Investment Platforms
• Other

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

I am 25 years old and just starting to manage my money like an adult! I attended university from 2012-2015, and as such I have a full student loan on repayment plan 2. The value of my loan at present is £43k, and at the current rates of interest, I pay back less than the interest each month. Having undertaken some cash flow analysis, I know I will be one who repays their loan in full and estimate it will take 15-18 years to fully pay back. Over this period I am likely to incur over £30k of interest. If I could pay the loan off in full, is that worth doing? Or is that £43k better put to work elsewhere in investments?

Tom | London | 15/03/2019 | 0

• Other

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

I've been reading recently about how investment trusts are much the same as funds, but are cheaper to own. A: Is this true? and B: Do you have an article on Investment trusts on your site?

Nick | Surrey | 16/01/2019 | 7

• Funds
• Other

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

I'm the sole carer for my chronically ill and elderly mum, as well as a full-time police officer. I have no other family apart from her. Due to mum's condition, and the fact that I'm exhausted performing both roles, the only option is to go part-time, as mum won't accept help from anyone else. To allow me to go part-time, I will need about £25,000 until March 2020 when I will be retiring. I’m confident of getting another job shortly thereafter. In January 2021, I will receive a commutation lump sum of about £50,000. I have a sizeable fund portfolio under an ISA wrapper with Hargreaves Lansdown. That is doing very well, so I don't really want to sell any of these funds and 'lend myself money' from that. My ideal funding solution would be a bond-type IOU agreement, where 'someone' lends me the money. Are you aware of a peer-to-peer site that could assist? Thanks

Dave | Hertfordshire | 27/11/2018 | 1

• Stocks and Shares ISA
• Online Investment Platforms
• Other

Do you have any recommendations for books that I can buy my 18 year old daughter for Xmas on the subject of pensions and investments so she can start to understand the subjects? She's young I know but I would like to get her started. Many thanks!

Nicki | Devon | 15/11/2018 | 2

• Robo Adviser
• Online Investment Platforms
• Other

I am 25 and starting to seriously financially plan out my future. I would really welcome a 'sense check' on my thinking as well as some help on which investment choices to make. My goals are: To invest for 15 years - my risk appetite is very high (i.e. I could afford to lose all my money). Goal 1 - More Important: To have an investment pot of £1,500,000. Goal 2 - Less Important: To be mortgage free. My plan is: 1) Open an annual Stocks and Shares ISA each of the next 15 years. 2) Open Share trading/dealing account. 3) Reduce my mortgage term to 6 years by 2025. I appreciate the above is a lot to go though, but I'd welcome any help and guidance.

Mo | London | 15/10/2018 | 3

• Stocks and Shares ISA
• Shares
• Online Investment Platforms
• Funds
• Other

Can I use the Help to Buy scheme to buy a house in Jamaica? Kind regards, Kishana

Kishana | London | 11/09/2018 | 1

• Lifetime ISA
• Other
• Mortgage

How can I pimp my credit score?

Sonia | Greater London | 09/08/2018 | 2

• 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

Could you be kind enough to let me know what would be the best instant access savings account for me.?I would like any interest to be paid to me monthly. Thank you

Roy | Lancashire | 17/12/2017 | 2

• Other

How do I start investing, buy stocks, bitcoin, etc with £100?

Claudette | Bedfordshire | 18/11/2017 | 1

• Shares
• Other

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

Is getting more money on a Mortgage a good way to raise some cash? I have a tiny tiny mortgage on a London property and could do with £50k to spend on other stuff. Would I be better to get the money by remortgaging or borrowing?

Louise | Greater London | 07/09/2017 | 1

• Other
• Mortgage

Could you be kind enough to let me know what would be the best instant access savings account for me? I would like any interest to be paid to me monthly. Thank you

Anon | UK | 29/05/2018 | 0

• Cash
• Other

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

Can I sort a pension out myself online?

Sharon | Greater London | 07/09/2017 | 0

• Pension
• Workplace Pension

What is the Help to Buy ISA and how does it work?

Dylan | Greater London | 07/09/2017 | 0

• Lifetime ISA
• Other
• Mortgage

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

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

• Pension

What is a credit score and why do I need it?

Cameron | Greater London | 06/09/2017 | 1

• Other

How much does it cost to make a will?

Sedef | Greater London | 06/09/2017 | 1

• Other

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