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Finding the best online investments and pensions

02-10-2017

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Even stuffy old finance is not immune to the technology revolution. There are now dozens of decent options for us to set up and manage both investments and pensions online.

There are 2 basic approaches to running a DIY investment or pension account. You can either select the shares or funds to put into your ISAs or pensions yourself. This choice will suit more confident investors who enjoy researching the markets.

Online investment - We've created a detailed guide for online investment beginners. 

Even stuffy old finance is not immune to the technology revolution. There are now dozens of decent options for us to set up and manage both investments and pensions online.

There are 2 basic approaches to running a DIY investment or pension account. You can either select the shares or funds to put into your ISAs or pensions yourself. This choice will suit more confident investors who enjoy researching the markets. Or you can pick an option which does the investment heavy-lifting for you. Minimising the decisions and giving you the comfort of having an expert on your side. An online investment personal shopper.

I have personal accounts with over 25 online investment and pension providers so I can see at first-hand what they’re like as a customer. Behind the glossy homepages, the reality of using a service online, transacting, calling them up and tracking returns can be less slick. Here are my suggestions. 

Online Investments

There is a vast array of choice. These are the five main questions I think we need to ask.

  • Are the charges fair?
  • Do I have enough choice?
  • Is the website easy to use?
  • Is the service good?
  • Do I trust the brand/does it feel safe?

No-one wants to pay above the odds – when you’re looking at fees you have to factor in 2 basic charges. The fees we pay a fund manager if we use funds rather than selecting our own individual shares. And the administration fee (sometimes called a platform fee) we pay the service provider. I'd expect to pay a fund manager about 0.75% and a platform up to about 0.4%. Any more and you need to feel sure that you’re getting value for money.

As for the actual service and ease of use, there is a huge disparity in what goes on behind the scenes, on the secure trading sites. Here's a tiny example. I'm currently doing my tax return and need to dig out consolidated tax vouchers for the investment accounts. They're simple to find on AJ Bell, Charles Stanley, Hargreaves Lansdown and Interactive Investor. I need to make phone calls to Alliance Trust Savings, Barclays, Nutmeg and The Share Centre as I can’t find them despite trawling through the sites.  

In general when it comes to service, Hargreaves Lansdown remains the clear winner here. Their people on the phones pick up quickly, they are human beings (how retro!) and they know their stuff. As cyber crime is on the rise, I also think there is comfort in dealing with a FTSE100 company, with all its processes and protocols. With a 0.45% charge they are slightly on the wrong side of an acceptable fee but many people who have shopped around grin and bear it for the service.

When chatting to people about the right fit for them, I do ask about their personal trade-off between time and fees charged. Hobbyist investors may prefer to look for the low charges and be happy to spend a bit more time on hold or working through a website which can be trickier to navigate. Those less interested will value convenience and advice above everything.

Finally, there are a lot of dodgy firms out there. If it’s a new brand, do check who the ‘custodian’ of your money is. This ringfences your investments if the firm you have invested with gets into trouble. Also there is no such thing as a free lunch. Anyone promising ‘guaranteed’ returns is probably lying. So run a mile from those timber/car park/property schemes ‘guaranteeing’ double digit returns.  Good investments should be pedestrian and boring!


Holly’s suggestions for investments

  • Confident? Enjoy it and happy to sacrifice slick for low-cost? Have a £50,000+ account? Try Interactive Investor.

  • Looking for a very simple, low-cost solution with minimal choice? Vanguard`s online ISA is about as cheap as it gets and the firm is a solid, tried and-test global powerhouse. 

  • Busy? Want to deal with the biggest? Don’t mind paying a touch more for the best service around? Hargreaves Lansdown.

  • Would rather watch paint dry than spend time reading up on investments? On the move? Live on your phone? Look at Nutmeg.

  • Want the lowest fees for accounts up to about £50,000 and a decent all-rounder? Try Charles Stanley. 


Online pensions

There’s still a bit of a weird ‘headmaster and pupil’ dynamic between pensions providers and us. Most of us still think as pensions as something that are served up to us by authoritarian figures and we have to just grin and bear it. To do as we’re told.

But these days, an online pension looks just the same as an investment account, just with its own set of tax rules. I think of online pensions like a later-life investment drawer which we can't open till we're 55. But we can choose what goes into this drawer and look at it online whenever we want. We no longer have to politely just accept whatever is served up to us.

Pensions can be very simple in the saving up phase. And turn hellishly complicated at retirement stage. If you are in your 50s and want to start to take some of your pension in the next 10 years, I think you want to pick a firm with a strong pensions heritage, and teams of skilled people who can tackle your more complicated questions.  AJ Bell Youinvest and Hargreaves Lansdown lead the pack here in my opinion – in the main you’ll talk to good people on the phones who know their stuff. Of the two, AJ Bell Youinvest have lower charges but a less slick online experience.

Many less enthusiastic savers will find these websites daunting. If you prefer to stick to bigger brands which offer simpler, more ‘vanilla’ services, then I think Aviva is worth a look. This huge brand will also offer comfort to those who want to deal with an old, solid and established firm. There’s a very simple online journey and you just need to pick one of four choices, so it doesn’t overwhelm.

As for charges, expect to pay about an online pension providers about 0.3% - 0.4% for administration and a further 0.75% for the investment funds you may choose to put into the pension.

 

Holly’s suggestions for pensions

Hesitant and unsure? Try Aviva or Standard Life for a big brand experience with limited decisions to make. Aviva will let you start with £50 a month to save.

Value service? Happy to pay a bit more for an easy life? Hargreaves Lansdown. Just very good.

Low cost? With some pedigree behind the brand? Charles Stanley can be a bit daunting for the novice but is low cost and is currently waiving the normal £100 annual pension fee for those with more than £30,000

Want an online firm which lives and breathes pensions? AJ Bell Youinvest has a very good pedigree in pensions administration and is a decently priced option offering a range of choices for all levels of knowledge.

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Related Questions

Got a Question?

  • I am a British/Irish citizen living in Malta and have between £5k-£10k to invest for 5 years. Clearly, ISAs are out as there is a requirement to be a UK resident. I am happy to accept a medium level of risk, and would appreciate some info on where to put this to maximise returns.

    Phil | Malta | 25/04/2019 | 0

    • Stocks and Shares ISA
    • Robo Adviser
    • Online Investment Platforms
    Zoë Dagless's Response

  • I've a Cash ISA with about £80k in it, so I'm considering moving £50k into a Stocks & Shares ISA. I'm 73, retired, married, a house-owner and would like to utilise my savings better. What would you recommend?

    Barry | Berkshire | 18/04/2019 | 0

    • Stocks and Shares ISA
    • Cash
    • Online Investment Platforms
    Helena Wardle's Response

  • 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 | 0

    • Online Investment Platforms
    • Other
    Holly Mackay's Response

  • 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 | 1

    • Private Pension
    • Pension
    Holly Mackay's Response

  • I have had a Hargreaves Lansdown Stocks & Shares ISA for the past 2+ years, divided into their Portfolio Plus Balanced Growth and in a mixture of shares I selected myself. While I am happy to keep the shares element, I don’t feel the managed portfolio is working for me and I could do better elsewhere. Where would you suggest I could invest for a better return? I am happy with balanced and some element of high risk. I’m 47, have two primary school age children, & live in central London. I also have a mortgage and a workplace pension.

    Jennifer | London | 20/03/2019 | 0

    • Shares
    • Online Investment Platforms
    Holly Mackay's Response

  • I have about £100 monthly extra I want to invest, but I am not sure if my ISAs represent good value. I thought I could put the money in a higher risk investment, as it is money I can invest over 5-10 years, and had thought Nutmeg might be a good option as I have little investment experience. Am I right in thinking I can only contribute to one Stocks & Shares ISA at a time in my name? I could just put more money into my existing ISAs. What do you think?

    Colin | Lothian | 11/03/2019 | 0

    • Stocks and Shares ISA
    • Robo Adviser
    • Online Investment Platforms
    Holly Mackay's Response

  • 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
    Holly Mackay's Response

  • I am 47 and I would now like to open an investment ISA for growth for at least 10 years. I am tempted by the Vanguard LifeStrategy 80 due to the low fees and strong reputation. I would also consider investing in a couple of other Vanguard funds as well. Would this be advisable or relatively unnecessary, if I'm already investing in the LifeStrategy fund? I have also been looking with interest at Nutmeg, Wealthify, IG and AJ Bell Youinvest. Is there any provider that would stand above the others as most suitable in my circumstances?

    Matt | South Yorkshire | 11/03/2019 | 0

    • Stocks and Shares ISA
    • Robo Adviser
    • Online Investment Platforms
    Holly Mackay's Response

  • 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
    Holly Mackay's Response

  • 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
    Helena Wardle's Response

  • I’m 36 years old, earn £85k, and have about £40k savings in the bank, mainly in an old ISA that I’ve done nothing with. I have a five year old daughter and would like to put my savings somewhere clever so they start to do something useful by the time she starts at an independent secondary school and fees go through the roof. Any bright ideas please?

    Milly | Berkshire | 22/02/2019 | 2

    • Stocks and Shares ISA
    • Junior ISA
    • Shares
    • Online Investment Platforms
    Catherine Morgan's Response

  • 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
    Lesley James's Response

  • I recently came across your blog and it has been a great introduction to learning about my personal finances. I was wondering if you could recommend any additional resources (websites, books, online help) for beginners and that are tailored to the UK market. I am in my early 20's and I'm looking to further my knowledge of money, and foster a greater relationship with it. In addition to that, I'd like to know your opinions on how the possible outcomes of Brexit will affect the market and potential personal finance investments.

    Rita | London | 23/01/2019 | 0

    • Stocks and Shares ISA
    • Robo Adviser
    • Online Investment Platforms
    Phoebe Smith's Response

  • 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
    Helena Wardle's Response

  • 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 | 9

    • Online Investment Platforms
    • Funds
    • Pension
    Anna Sofat's Response

  • I’m new to investing and in my late 30's. I'm actually stuck in a dilemma whether to invest using DIY platforms like Interactive Investor, A J Bell or Hargreaves Lansdown OR invest using robo advisors like Nutmeg, Moneyfarm or Pensionbee. I have compared the fees and they are not significantly different. Do robo advisers have a better return rate? I can dedicate some time to DIY investing but not a significant amount of time. Please advise. Thank you.

    Victor | Kent | 14/01/2019 | 1

    • Robo Adviser
    • Online Investment Platforms
    Phoebe Smith's Response

  • 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
    Lesley James's Response

  • I’m a 20 something year old woman who’d like to learn more about investing. Do you have any books or reading material that gives a complete beginner a better understanding of how investing works?

    Precious | Surrey | 03/01/2019 | 0

    • Stocks and Shares ISA
    • Online Investment Platforms
    Phoebe Smith's Response

  • 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
    Helena Wardle's Response

  • 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
    Holly Mackay's Response

  • 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 | 6

    • Robo Adviser
    • Online Investment Platforms
    • Funds
    Phoebe Smith's Response

  • 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
    Catherine Morgan's Response

  • 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
    Holly Mackay's Response

  • I am 35 and working part time on a reasonable salary. I've recently taken out a Stocks & Shares ISA with Wealthify (from reading the recommendations on Boring Money) where I pay in £40 per month. However, I'm wondering if I should be doing more? Should I be diversifying and using more than just Wealthify? Or is it better to increase the amount into Wealthify?

    Holly | Sussex | 17/10/2018 | 1

    • Stocks and Shares ISA
    • Online Investment Platforms
    Lesley James's Response

  • 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
    Holly Mackay's Response

  • I shall have £10k to invest shortly, and I want to use an actively managed portfolio in a quality company. How would you rate - Investec Click & Invest/True Potential Investor/Nutmeg on the basis of ROI/customer relationship/quality/risk factors etc? I would class myself as a mid-grade risk-taker/reasonably adventurous if appropriate, with a high quality company. I presently use Hargreaves Lansdown and Wealthify but feel the need to diversify. What do you recommend?

    Richard | Shropshire | 03/10/2018 | 1

    • Online Investment Platforms
    Holly Mackay's Response

  • The recent Metro article which Holly participated in has really inspired me and made me think that investing in shares is something which I would like to do. Unfortunately I am completely thrown about where to start. I would be grateful for any advice you could pass my way. Realistically, I would only have about 2k to invest, so any tips would be gratefully received.

    Sarah-Jane | London | 12/09/2018 | 3

    • Stocks and Shares ISA
    • Cash
    • Online Investment Platforms
    Holly Mackay's Response

  • Is there a reason you don’t list Saga in your Best Buys? Additionally, I have purchased a few investment trust shares but can’t work out how the dividends are paid. Scottish Mortgage is an example. I wasn't given an option to choose how to receive the dividends. It would be useful if you could provide some clarity on how investment trusts pay their dividends.

    Carl | Buckinghamshire | 07/09/2018 | 1

    • Shares
    • Online Investment Platforms
    Holly Mackay's Response

  • 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 | 0

    • Pension
    • Other
    Catherine Morgan's Response

  • 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
    Helena Wardle's Response

  • 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
    Holly Mackay's Response

  • I'm 24 and would like to begin investing. Am I better off using a robo advisor such as Wealthify/Wealthsimple or a fund such as Vanguard LifeStrategy?

    Amanda | Greater London | 06/08/2018 | 6

    • Shares
    • Robo Adviser
    • Online Investment Platforms
    Holly Mackay's Response

  • 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
    Holly's Response

  • 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
    Richard Allum, MD, The Paraplanners's Response

  • 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 LTA, 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 | LDN | 12/06/2018 | 0

    • Pension
    Richard Allum, MD The Paraplanners's Response

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

    Judy | 17/05/2018 | 1

    • Pension
    Helena Wardle, Certified Financial Planner's Response

  • We have a portfolio of ISAs/ PEPs worth around £250k, currently invested via Cofunds, managed by Chelsea and Bestinvest. I'm told this is quite an expensive option regarding platform charges. Are there better options?

    John | BRK | 08/05/2018 | 6

    • Robo Adviser
    • Online Investment Platforms
    Helena Wardle, Certified Financial Planner's Response

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

    Diane | WYK | 01/05/2018 | 1

    • Pension
    Helena Wardle, Certified Financial Planner's Response

  • 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
    Helena Wardle, Certified Financial Planner 's Response

  • 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
    Helena Wardle's Response

  • 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 | 12/02/2018 | 0

    • Pension
    Richard Allum's Response

  • 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
    Boring Money's Response

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

    Gareth | HAM | 26/01/2018 | 0

    • Pension
    Helena Wardle, Certified Financial Planner's Response

  • 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
    Holly Mackay's Response

  • Can losses in a pension SIPP be offset against anything?

    Henryk | HAM | 17/01/2018 | 0

    • Private Pension
    • Pension
    Cherry Reynard's Response

  • 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
    Danny Cox's Response

  • 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
    Cherry Reynard's Response

  • 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 | DEV | 07/11/2017 | 0

    • Pension
    Boring Money's Response

  • 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
    Holly Mackay's Response

  • 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
    Mark Dampier's Response

  • I've got £20,000 from an endowment policy (astonishing, I know), and I'm looking into how best to invest to get a reasonable return without excessive risk. Any thoughts much appreciated!!

    Penny | Peterborough | 09/08/2018 | 1

    • Stocks and Shares ISA
    • Cash
    • Online Investment Platforms
    • Life Insurance
    Danny Cox's Response

  • 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
    Holly Mackay's Response

  • I have a bit of excess money to play around with and I have been looking at Investment funds. What is the typical % growth rate of an investment fund?

    David | Greater London | 07/09/2017 | 7

    • Online Investment Platforms
    • Funds
    Cherry Reynard's Response

  • 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
    Cherry Raynard's Response

  • Can I sort a pension out myself online?

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

    • Pension
    • Workplace Pension
    Danny Cox's Response

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

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

    • Pension
    Holly Mackay's Response

  • Pensions vs ISA - which one is best?

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

    • Stocks and Shares ISA
    • Junior ISA
    • Lifetime ISA
    • Pension
    Holly Mackay's Response

  • 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
    Cherry Raynard's Response