I am confused about financial services compensation: I have a SIPP and an ISA with AJ Bell Youinvest, and am about to inherit a sizeable sum. I am already over the £85,000 financial services compensation limit. Should I be worried? Should I set up accounts with multiple platforms, to be covered by the compensation scheme?

Emma | London | 22/07/2019 | 0

• Private Pension
• Stocks and Shares ISA
• Cash

I am torn between investing in my ISA, and putting money into a personal pension. I know about pension grossing up, and the 25% tax free cash. However I will inevitably pay tax on the 75% which is not tax free. Whereas with the ISA, I don't get the grossing up benefit, but won't pay any tax. What do you think?

Christopher | Staffordshire | 18/07/2019 | 1

• Private Pension
• Stocks and Shares ISA
• Lifetime ISA

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 | 4

• Private Pension
• Pension
• Workplace Pension

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

In 1988 I opted out of SERPS and proceeded to set up a With-Profits Personal Pension Plan with Equitable Life. Fast forward to now and I've recently received a 'proposal' from Eq Life. I don't really understand whether this is a proposal I should give my approval to as I don't understand whether I will potentially gain or lose from the changes stated.

Tori | Buckinghamshire | 04/07/2019 | 2

• Private 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 am not a tax payer as I do not work. Will the Government pay any money into my private pension?

Mrs Khan | Essex | 02/07/2019 | 0

• Private Pension

I have opened my first Stocks and Shares ISA, and have a company pension on the new standard 5%/3% contributions. I have enough easy access savings to cover emergencies so I was wondering what would be a next good step, add to S&S ISA or open a SIPP for retirement?

Kevin | Strathclyde | 14/06/2019 | 9

• Private Pension
• Stocks and Shares ISA
• Cash

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

I am a self-employed sole trader. Would my pension contributions count as a Business Expense, incurred in running a small business?

Anna | Warwickshire | 11/06/2019 | 7

• Private Pension

As a U.S. passport holder as well as a British citizen living in the UK, are there certain things I can't invest in?

Megan | Scotland | 11/06/2019 | 0

• Private Pension
• Stocks and Shares ISA
• Shares

I have been putting £50/month for each of my two children into a pension with Hargreaves Lansdown. In light of the costs of investing highlighted on this website, should I move to somewhere with lower charges, or stay-put? Alternatively, would I be better to put money into a Lifetime ISA for each of them instead?

Stuart | Cambridgeshire | 06/06/2019 | 4

• Private Pension
• Lifetime ISA

I’m in my 30s and live in London. I have savings in cash but I’ve never tried any ISAs, stocks etc. before. I am looking for some suggestions as to the types of products I should use to begin investing. Instinct is telling me to keep 50% of my savings in a safe investment, 30% in a medium risk investment, 10% in higher risk, and keep 10% for emergencies. I’m making nothing keeping the cash in the bank!

Lisle | London | 30/05/2019 | 4

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

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

We currently have a Scottish Mortgage fund with Baillie Gifford. But we’ve received a letter stating that they plan to transfer us to Hargreaves Lansdown. Is this a good idea or should we look elsewhere? - Charles Stanley Direct, for example?

Matthew | London | 30/05/2019 | 4

• Funds

I have minimal pensions and would like to start a new pension to save for the next 12 years. I've already set up a Stocks & Shares ISA with Nutmeg, so would like to start my pension with another provider. Which would you recommend?

Sam | Norfolk | 30/05/2019 | 0

• Private Pension
• Funds

I’m thinking about investing £1000 in Sirius Minerals. I would like some advice on whether this is too small an amount to get any gains from. At the moment I would be leaving it in for the long term of 5-10 years. I do realise that no dividend is being paid.

Adam | Cleveland | 30/05/2019 | 0

• Shares
• Funds

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

My parents (father since died) put money into Halifax 'Money Fund'. This then apparently changed to some form of 'investment'. I noted in January 2019, that a letter had been sent just under 3 years previously, advising that this was not the best place for their money. I made contact and complained. What can we do, as this money may as well have been under their mattress? It was originally mis-sold.

Maureen | Gloucestershire | 04/04/2019 | 0

• Funds

I intend to retire in autumn, aged 60 and would like to leave my son and grandson as comfortable as possible when I'm gone. I have talked with several IFAs, but given my risk adverse nature, their fees seem to eat up most of the benefit they offer. Do IFAs normally bring sufficient benefit to low risk strategies, to make it worthwhile? Or am I better off cautiously investing myself, and saving the fees?

Stephen | North Yorkshire | 01/04/2019 | 0

• Private Pension
• Stocks and Shares ISA

I have two separate company pensions from previous employers. For the last 12 years I have not contributed to a pension. I am now 44 and know I need to put money into one. I'm not financially aware and the robo providers sound tempting but, obviously, I want the possibility for the best return at medium risk. Your Q2 2018 results update showed Nutmeg’s Portfolio 10 as returning different figures than the Best Buys page for Nutmeg says. Why are these figures so different? Is Vanguard Lifestrategy 60 a good choice, though they don't have a SIPP.

Dave | West Yorkshire | 26/03/2019 | 0

• Private Pension
• Robo Adviser

I am self employed (40) with no private pension, earning £50,000 a year. I have savings and can make a lump sum investment. I know nothing about Stocks or Shares. What is the best way forward for pension and tax reduction? Desperate Anna

Anna | London | 25/03/2019 | 0

• Private Pension
• Stocks and Shares ISA

My pension SIPP has an annual charge of about 2%. Now that I am in monthly drawdown, I'm interested in exploring alternative providers to lessen the charges, since future returns look like being lower than they have been in the past.

Michael | London | 25/03/2019 | 0

• Private 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

My Fundsmith accumulation Class 1 investment fund has done well over the last 5 years, and its share price today is just about the highest it's ever been. Should I bank it now in case it goes down, or leave it and diversify by reinvesting monthly elsewhere in another fund?

Peter | Stockport | 18/03/2019 | 0

• Funds

My 60 year old mum is not very financially literate and has has no private pension. She has approximately £900k to invest, from which she will need to draw down c.£40k a year for life. She is not very financially literate and would not be able to proactively manage the money herself. Would you favour an Independent Financial Adviser or a Robo Adviser for someone in her position? Thank you!

Harry | Kent | 11/03/2019 | 1

• Private Pension
• Robo Adviser
• Online Investment Platforms

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

With a SIPP in drawdown would a company like Netwealth whose investment management fees are of the order of .66% of the value of the portfolio, be a better option compared to companies like Hargreaves Lansdown or Investec? What are the relative benefits of Netwealth over the more traditional wealth managers?

Steve | Lancashire | 22/01/2019 | 6

• Private Pension
• Robo Adviser
• Online Investment Platforms

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 | 2

• 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 | 10

• Online Investment Platforms
• Funds
• 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’ve been investing in Nutmeg’s Risk 10 profile for three years which helped my deposit for my house. I am now wondering whether to use Nutmeg again, or should I use LifeStrategy for my £1000 per month? Is there a difference between Vanguard's LifeStrategy option and let’s say a well known robo adviser like Nutmeg? I am still a beginner and would like to keep things simple, but happy to take risk and prepared to leave my investments for a long time.

Jordan | Surrey | 26/11/2018 | 9

• Robo Adviser
• Online Investment Platforms
• Funds

I was lucky enough to inherit a significant sum from my father... currently in Alliance trust platform in 10 investment trusts. They have delivered well in the last 20 years. But they are UK equity based. And highly risky. Do you offer a sanity check service for confused individuals like myself? I don’t know what to do...

Paul | Berkshire | 12/11/2018 | 2

• Private Pension
• Online Investment Platforms
• Funds

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

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

Can you advise me on the best approach when looking to invest in a product that offers compound interest? I’m thinking about funds rather than bank accounts. I also have 4 different pensions on the go. Should I keep them separate to diversify the risk? Or consolidate them? How will these pensions be treated when I retire? Will they be considered in aggregate by the tax man?

Craig | Clackmannanshire | 16/08/2018 | 1

• Private Pension
• Online Investment Platforms
• Funds

I have about two thirds of my ISA in funds with Charles Stanley Direct and about one third left with St James's Place. I was planning to transfer the remaining one third to Charles Stanley Direct. However the recent platform price increases seem to put me in the worst position possible. After Charles Stanley Direct's fee increase, could I do better elsewhere?

Gerry | Bedfordshire | 15/08/2018 | 6

• Private Pension
• Online Investment Platforms
• Funds

I invested my money in a St James's Place managed fund, split into ISAs and bonds, after advice from an adviser who was a St James's Place partner. My investments have done reasonably well, but I've read disturbing reports about St James's Place. Should I have concerns? Should I have found an independent financial adviser?

Glyn | Essex | 09/08/2018 | 6

• Funds

I wanted an investment trust with an income, so I put £10,000 into The Investment Company. It delivers a reliable quarterly dividend but the capital value has dropped by 10% since I invested 2 years ago. What are your favourite investment trusts?

Fran | Greater London | 08/08/2018 | 4

• Shares
• Funds

Is there an average number of funds that one should ideally hold? I have in excess of 20. I am happy with my portfolio and coverage, but wonder if I have too many funds. The second part to the question is how long should you leave an underperforming fund?

Richard | Hertfordshire | 06/08/2018 | 3

• Funds

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

I'm nearly 30 and looking to open a private ready made pension, and also an investment ISA for retirement funds or towards a property, but very unsure what risk level to choose (low to medium, or medium to high)? Any comments or advice welcome.

Susan | West Midlands | 24/07/2018 | 1

• Private Pension
• Stocks and Shares ISA

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 hope you can help. I recently consolidated two modest pensions into a SIPP in readiness to start UPFLS drawdown in May (2018). Whilst I was hoping for growth in my investments I wasn’t expecting it to rocket and now find I could well be looking at exceeding the lifetime allowance, possibly even before my first annual drawdown in May, and I’m unsure what, if anything, I should do.

John | London | 03/07/2018 | 2

• Private Pension
• Funds

Hello Are there any specific pensions you would recommend, with low charges, which I can set up for my 11 yr old son? I am already paying the maximum into a Junior ISA. Anita

Anita | West Sussex | 18/06/2018 | 3

• Private Pension
• Junior ISA

What are the differences between income and accumulation income funds? How do you declare income reinvested in a fund on your tax return?

C | 05/06/2018 | 0

• Funds

Can you recommend some very basic books for a 69-year-old widow who is now having to manage her money?

Martha | 12/04/2018 | 0

• Shares
• Funds

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

I am post-divorce with a good settlement which I have only partially invested. Are there any courses you can recommend? I have sat in a number of meetings with accountants and financial advisers feeling somewhat patronised! I am sure that there are plenty of women in a similar position to me (aged 55!).

Eavan | Ireland | 14/03/2018 | 3

• Shares
• Funds
• GIA

How can I find a good financial adviser?

Byron | Greater London | 01/03/2018 | 0

• Shares
• Funds

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

I am very lucky to have just received a gift which I want to invest for our retirement. My husband and I aim to retire in around five years. We have 11 more years of school fees to fund, then hopefully university fees for two after that. I've put together a plan for us - can you have a look and see if it makes sense?

Fiona | UK | 18/01/2018 | 6

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

Can losses in a pension SIPP be offset against anything?

Henryk | Hampshire | 17/01/2018 | 0

• Private Pension
• Pension

We have four grandchildren (2 English living in UK, and 2 Irish living in Eire). We have decided to start savings plans for their futures. Their ages are 18yrs, 11yrs, 8yrs and 4yrs respectively. My age is 75yrs, and my wife is a little older. What should we do, please?

John | Buckinghamshire | 01/01/2018 | 1

• Junior ISA
• Lifetime ISA
• Shares
• Funds
• Inheritance

I am already receiving a pension from a final salary scheme and I am retired. I have a sum of money I want to invest. Can I start another pension as a saver and, if so, how much can I put in every year?

Collette | Greater London | 25/11/2017 | 0

• Private Pension
• Online Investment Platforms

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

I have just sold my house and have a significant sum of money I want to invest. I may want to draw some income but also want to achieve capital growth. Are there funds that aim to achieve both or should I just invest for growth and draw money as I need to for income?

Jon | Surrey | 13/09/2017 | 1

• Funds

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 | 8

• Private Pension
• Pension

Which is better - property or pension?

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

• Private Pension
• Mortgage

I am confused about index funds, e.g. Vanguard Equity fund. Do they track an index or include the yield? In the case of Vanguard, their low cost is attractive but their portfolio is made up of other Vanguard funds. I assume these probably each carry a fee structure - is this correct?

Robin | Gloucestershire | 03/09/2018 | 0

• Online Investment Platforms
• Funds

Is it worth using a financial adviser when it comes to switching pensions funds, or should I do the research and pick the funds myself? I am no expert in stocks and shares.

Helen | Dorset | 10/08/2018 | 4

• Private Pension
• Shares
• Funds

I use H&L and although they are a bit 'plumy' on the phone I quite like their website and the costs are OK. So I was thinking of H&L for [my son]. I would be telling him to open these two funds and regularly invest and forget about them for 10 years!

R | Greater London | 29/05/2018 | 1

• Lifetime ISA
• Robo Adviser
• Online Investment Platforms
• Funds

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 funds could my millennial children invest in?

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

• Funds

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