Starting a pension at 37

A question about : Starting a pension at 37

My partner doesn't have a pension. I've been on at her for years about it, but up until 4 years ago she was temping-and-travelling, and then we had kids, so she's not working. Now she's got her feet a bit more on the ground (must be the kids), and she wants to get a pension arranged when she starts working again. What does she need to take into account, given her advanced years? She could be working as a physiotherapist, in which case I assume the NHS occupational pension would be good (I believe it's final salary), with AVCs to get her years up. Alternatively she could be self employed, in which case I have no idea what she should do!

Thanks, and apologies if my first post has been answered before.

Best answers:

• Hi Cassini. Welcome to MSE.
  Can't offer much help but if your wife goes into the NHS, I certainly would suggest the NHS scheme, but I'd look at purchasing added years rather than going down the AVC route.
  If she goes self-employed than a Stakeholder Pension would be the obvious route. If you go down this route why not start now? Even if you put the minimum Ј20/month your wife has made a start, and you'd probably avoid the likely 0.5% increase in charges from next April.
• But no need to go to an IFA until she knows whether she will be employed or self-employed.
• In the meantime, it its a good idea to put funds aside into a building society account each month pending the outcome. Once the final outcome is known, a lump sum contribution could be made from the money saved in the b/society.