Pensions, Annuities & Retirement Planning

A question about : stakeholder pension

A question about : found old 'opt out serps' policy

When I took out my first mortgage 12 yrs ago I was persuaded to 'opt out' of SERPS. I then left the job to become self-employed, moved house and forgot this policy until recently finding paperwork in the loft. The update is that there is Ј7500 sitting in the pot. Should I 'do' anything with this? Leave it where it is?

A question about : This is confusing...

When my wife started working in 1989 she contracted out of SERPS (S2P) with a personal pension from the Royal London.

When she started working for Marks & Spencer in 1996 she joined their company pension scheme (also contracted out) and the annual statements we received from Royal London showed no contributions (which you would expect).

A question about : switch fund for stakeholders

is it possible to have a share funded stakeholders pension for say the first 15 years and then change it to cash funded for the remainder period or do you have to stick with what you originally choose? not got a pension as of yet, nor had the chance to speak to anyone, so any info would be greatly appreiciated. dont wanna look like a totally nitwit when i go to speak to an advisor, do I

Halcyon

A question about : MEP Pensions Scam

I thought the following post which was put on the vent board by "popdeny" would be of interest on this board. Here's the link:-

MEPs Pension Scam

A question about : State Pension Question

Folks,

I am trying to get my head around the changes in State Pension and how they affect me.

I have 31 years NI contributions. I was contracted out for 21 years.
I believe that under the existing scheme I would be on the maximum basic state pension of Ј113.10 in today's money.

I am 49 so have a long way to go to collecting.

A question about : Annuity cash in

My husband bought an annuity a few years ago that we planned to keep until he was 65. Unfortunately our circumstances have changed and we are looking to cash this in. Is this possible when the pension rules change in April, can we do it ourselves and what percentage would we lose? We were last quoted a value of Ј34k

A question about : old pension ceased new one started

Mr divadees company pension scheme has stopped and a new one started he had a choice on the new pension of either money pension or final slary. We opted for final salary after some independant advice, but now a new query has arisen!!

We need to decide what to do with the funds built up in the old 'retirement trust'. The options are.

1) Transfer benefits to the new pension scheme final salary.

2) Transfer benefits to another approved scheme.