Pensions, Annuities & Retirement Planning

A question about : Frozen civil service pensio

Evening,

I am 52 and have a frozen defined benefit final salary pension from when I left the Civil Service in 2012. Am I right in thinking I can access the benefits from age 55 subject to a reduction in lump sum and monthly pension?

Thanks

Rob

A question about : How much do you need to retire?

These are ballpark figures but just to illustrate:-

State pension gives you around Ј5k a year.

If you have Ј300K in pension/ISA's returning roughly Ј15K a year this would give you about Ј20K a year to live on.

Is this right or am I missing something here? (And yes this is all in todays monetary values for illustration purposes).

A question about : Zero Hours Contract

Not sure that this is in the right place, but here goes anyway.....There is a possibility that when I take early retirement in April, that I may be offered a Zero hours contract.....these type of contracts don't appear to be very popular, but would suit me.....are there any pitfalls involved......the idea of flexible working appeals to me, and the extra cash will come in handy........any opinions welcome.......Jack

A question about : Timing of SIPP contributions for freelancer?

I work freelance but usually know a few months in advance what my invoices will be. I pay the full amount of my earnings into my SIPP each year (accounting for the government's tax relief being added). Can I pay into this year's SIPP now on the assumption my invoices will be what I expect or do I have to wait until I have sent out those invoices?

A question about : Definition of 'non earner'

I am considering making a contribution to a SIPP, for tax relief purposes but I'm unsure as to whether I am classified as a 'non earner.'

I am aged 60 and retired from employment. In addition to my private pension, I have net rental income of around Ј11,000 pa. Can anyone tell me whether the rental income would be classified as 'earnings,' or as 'investment income?' I'm suspecting it may be the latter, as I don't pay NI contributions, although I do pay tax.

A question about : Pension quick question

I have 3 pensions
25000 pre 2006

26000

10000
Can I take lump sums from all of these or only one as I want to help with a deposit for my son .
Any advice would be grateful.

A question about : Pensions and high net worth vs sophisticated investor

I see that the FCA's high net worth investor requirements exclude for the Ј250k qualification:

any benefits (in the form of pensions or otherwise) which are payable on the termination of my service or on my death or retirement and to which I am (or my dependants are), or may be, entitled.

So, what about pensions that are payable before retirement, such as personal pensions payable on demand from age 55 whether retiring or not?

A question about : The Times

I've seen the headline in The Times but cannot read the article (subscriber only content)

I am 59 and, after being encouraged by many threads in this forum, planning to 'retire' end March 15 and was considering 25% cash free sum sometime later in year. Savings and maybe some part time working making access not an immediate priority.

Do I need to act now and before election to manage any risk?