[julianbiggs]

Anyone got any advice about a good company to use for a pension ??

[windows_chepstow]

From what I've read in the papers, private pensions schemes aren't much cop and there could be other options to funding a retirement.

Purchasing a second property and renting it out, for example.

You need to start reading up on some internet money sites, there's plenty about, then see an IFA; but find out about IFAs first.  Some are dodgier than window cleaners with knackered ladders.

[petski2]

No such thing as a good pension.
All they do is take away your eligibility for anything off the government.
My father in law worked all his life and paid into a pension.
He is now £7 a week worse off than the people around him that were doleys all their lives.
Buy property to sell or rent out.

[macc]

Dont waste your money,

Macc

[windows_chepstow]

I think Petski could be right.  The only decent pension schemes are government ones, which makes me sick really.  Being a government worker often means you're better paid than your private working counterpart, better looked after and have a pension scheme funded not from a pension fund, but direct from the Treasury.

I've got 17 years of a 22 year (22 years is a full pension) of an army pension based on the rank of Staff Sergeant with a step up to Warrant Officer.

It should be a nice little earner; a good lump sum and a monthly payment.

I don't get it till I'm 60 though.

Had I stayed in the army till my 22 year point, at the age of 40 years old, I would've received about 35,000 pounds tax free and had a monthly payment of around 400 quid a month, which would substantially rise when I was 55.

[WavieDavie]

But you obviously had good reasons at the time for getting out. Could you have stuck another 5 years?

As petski says, look for alternatives to pension schemes. When i was getting close to 40 I started looking at them and thought what's the point in giving all those premiums to an insurance company. Because basically you're betting that you'll live longer than the actuaries charts say you will.

BUT, if you'd invested those premiums in something else, the worth of that would pass on to your family/estate, and not go into the coffers of a multi-national when you pop your clogs - apart from being converted to a widow's pension if the other half survives you.

[Franky2020]

If I was you I would stick your money in a ISA and build up a fund that way and be able to get the money out when you want it rather than drips and draps.

[AuRavelling79]

Pensions are better if you need the tax advantage of paying into them. When you're above 35k a year (with a family) it might be worthwhile - but now you can invest in lots more than just pensions for your retirement and still get tax advantages.

Only a layman's opinion mind.