Pensions, Annuities & Retirement Planning

A question about : Learning From Scratch!

Hi,can anyone out there suggest websites that can help educate myself with regard to pensions before I take the plunge and end up with a one that may be totally innappropriate.I am reluctant to go see a financial advisor while totally uneducated in case I get taken advantage of,oo-er missus!
There seems to be such a plethora of advice that I dont know whether I am coming or going!

A question about : Pension Help Required !!!

I don't trust any pension companies but the reality is that i am not prepared for my old age and I know i need to find a solution........can anyone offer some advice !!

A question about : Pension Advice

I have just moved jobs and have joined the new company's group pension scheme - in my previous employment I had a group pension and 2 AVC's - Pru and Fidelity - what can i do with the funds in the AVC's as i know that the pension group fund stays frozen till retirement?

Can i reinvest my AVC's into my new group fund with the transfer value? - it is with Norwich Union

Can I cash them in and if so what loss could i expect in comparrison to the transfer value?

Any other advice? Collectively the transfer fund value is about 7k.

A question about : Salary Sacrifice Schemes

Hi - I'm interested in the salary sacrifice legislation that allows an employee to foresake a proportion of their salary in return for a number of tax-deductable schemes amd would like to understand a little more, in laymans terms about what is/isn't allowed.

I'm aware of a few popular schemes, such as pensions, childcare, cycle to work, parking fees, bus fares etc - I've gathered this info from reading the guidance on the hmrc websites. I'm also aware of the potential savings to employers through the 12.8% NIC savings.

A question about : revert the pension age to 60/65

I think the government has stolen money from me by forcing me into a pension fund from which I doubt I will ever benefit - millions of others too
I want the ages reversed to 60/65 or a lump sum repayment for all contibutions
anyone agree

A question about : Can I "cash-in" my personal pension somehow ?

I know that the general rule is that money in a pension is locked in there until you retire, although you're free to transfer it to another pension.

A question about : Widows entitlement to state pension

Hi guys

Sadly, my father died on Christmas Day 2007 aged 63. He therefore was never able to collect his state pension althought he had a full record of contributions
My mother is 61 and has been in receipt of a partial state pension since she was 60.

A question about : Do you pay National Insurance contributions on your pension if you retire early?

I retired at 56 on a pension of Ј8000 plus and although I pay tax, no deductions are made for National Insurance. When I do some paid work, I automatically pay NI on my earnings.

My husband is hoping to retire at the end of March 2010, aged 51 and will have a pension of Ј13,000 plus. I know he will have to pay tax but will he have to pay National Insurance too? He will not get a state pension till at least 65 and has 34 qualifying years already.