As an expat living in the Netherlands, I'm worried about having no pension

When I retired in December 2018, I considered consolidating my pensions for income drawdown, but it meant handing over management of the investments. After viewing the performance of the funds the Standard Life Active Retirement pension invests in, I hesitated. Recently I spoke to an advisers aligned to the investment philosophy of Albion Strategic Consulting headed by Tim Hale, but was scared off again by the messages regarding DIY investor dealing with re-balancing, sequencing, and lack of ability to stress test without the correct professional financial software, in addition to the high costs. 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. I appreciate you cannot give me direct financial advise but I am finding the whole event very disconcerting, when I thought I had the basic acumen to manage the transition.

Rob | Hertfordshire | 20/03/2019 | 0

• Private Pension
• Pension

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

My son has a work-based pension which he contributes 3% to, matched by 3% from his employer. He has nearly 10k with Nutmeg, 4K + in a Lifetime ISA, the rest in an ISA. If he 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 | 2

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

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 | 2

• 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 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 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

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. I also have a private St James's Place pension. Would I be correct in thinking the fees are also high on this, and I could do better elsewhere? Can I transfer into an SIPP for example?

Gerry | Bedfordshire | 15/08/2018 | 5

• Private Pension
• Online Investment Platforms
• Funds

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 | WMD | 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 | HRT | 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 | LDN | 03/07/2018 | 1

• 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. AH

Anita | SXW | 18/06/2018 | 3

• Private Pension
• Junior ISA

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

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?

| 06/02/2018 | 2

• Private Pension
• Pension

I am in the very lucky position of just having received a gift of £800k which I want to invest for our retirement. My husband and I are in our late 40s and 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 | HAM | 17/01/2018 | 0

• Private Pension
• Pension

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 | NFK | 10/11/2017 | 2

• Private Pension
• Shares
• Pension

I am getting long in the tooth at 79, a little forgetful and I am going through a painful divorce. This has shattered my confidence and I need help.

Richard | Kent | 05/11/2017 | 3

• Private Pension
• 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

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

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

Which is better - property or pension?

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

• Private 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 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