Forum index | Previous Thread | Next thread
Pensions Advice 10:37 - Oct 3 with 1280 viewsPlanetHonneywood

When in doubt, go to Loftipedia!!

I've two UK work pensions that automatically trigger when I soon reach 60.

Now I can't seek advice and if any of you are an advisor then you'll know you can't advise me, as I am in the EU.

However, if anyone can let me know what are the perceived merits, or not, of taking the 25% tax free bit? They're both small pots and more cheery on top than key contributors to my future funding.

Cheers to whomever clarifies what YouTube has left me somewhat confused about.

'Always In Motion' by John Honney available on amazon.co.uk
Poll: Who should do the Birmingham Frederick?

0
Pensions Advice on 11:28 - Oct 3 with 1130 viewsstowmarketrange

From a personal point of view I’d say take the 25% lump sums and invest the money in something that will pay a decent amount of interest.I took my Royal Mail pension as soon as I hit 55 and have been earning interest for the last 10 years,which has got a lot better over the past 18 months or so.Maybe a 5 year fixed rate account will suit you if you don’t need the cash now.

Obviously it depends on your personal circumstances,but I much prefer to have the lump sums for me to decide what to do with rather than rely on whatever the pension companies gamble my money on.
Good luck on whatever you choose to do.
1
Pensions Advice on 11:34 - Oct 3 with 1095 viewsStevenageRanger

I am no expert but in the last 10 years, Stock Market returns have been far far higher than any savings account.

Thats not to say dont take your 25% but sticking in a 'safe' account that barely keeps with inflation vs a longer term Stock Market investment should be considered IMO.

Ebveryone to their own but this brings it home for me

The S&P 500 returned 261% during the last decade, which equates to 13.6% annually. (You would have been lucky to get 1% 10 years ago and yes the last year its been 4-5% but 13.6% each year even traking into account the meltdowns of COVID, Truss, Ukraine War, Trump tarrifs) For me the markets will always win over a loner period (5+ years)
2
Pensions Advice on 11:41 - Oct 3 with 1058 viewsstowmarketrange

Pensions Advice on 11:34 - Oct 3 by StevenageRanger

I am no expert but in the last 10 years, Stock Market returns have been far far higher than any savings account.

Thats not to say dont take your 25% but sticking in a 'safe' account that barely keeps with inflation vs a longer term Stock Market investment should be considered IMO.

Ebveryone to their own but this brings it home for me

The S&P 500 returned 261% during the last decade, which equates to 13.6% annually. (You would have been lucky to get 1% 10 years ago and yes the last year its been 4-5% but 13.6% each year even traking into account the meltdowns of COVID, Truss, Ukraine War, Trump tarrifs) For me the markets will always win over a loner period (5+ years)


I don’t disagree with you mate,but from my own personal experience with an Aviva pension the bad days always outnumbered the good,and it reduced in value a lot more quickly than it ever increased.
It all depends on the level of risk you want on your assets.Each to their own and all that.
1
Pensions Advice on 11:47 - Oct 3 with 1045 viewsStevenageRanger

Yes mate, everyone has different attitudes and different capital. A good spread is probably the best route!!
1
Pensions Advice on 11:55 - Oct 3 with 1015 viewsFredManRave

Invest Shinvest!

Take the 25% from both, buy a red, convertible, sports car with one and a modest château with the other and you'll still have enough left to be playing pétanque with tes amis in the lazy afternoons.

I've got the Power.
Poll: MOM from todays Teasing at Teesside?

0
Pensions Advice on 12:08 - Oct 3 with 984 viewsLanhoop

First question is what type of pensions are they? If they are final salary or defined benefit then do not take money out. Much better to stick with them and take the income when it becomes available.

If they are defined contribution or most of the other types then you need to look more carefully at the terms. There's a lot of variation when it comes to what income they might provide, what income a spouse might get if you pop your clogs and whether they are index linked or not. Chances are they won't be the same either so, sorry, you'll need to work at it and then take steps once you have the info. Chances are the 25% tax free is worth taking but that's by no means a given.

This isn't advice, it's just what I looked at and learnt when I retired recently.
1
Pensions Advice on 12:16 - Oct 3 with 956 viewsessextaxiboy

I would take the 25 % There were rumours last budget and in anticipation of Novembers that the chancellor will reduce or tinker with the tax free lump sum . I took mine in Feb .
0
Pensions Advice on 12:21 - Oct 3 with 946 viewsE17hoop

Without knowing your personal circumstances, I wouldn't suggest any course of action!

You call them small pots - for others that might be quite large.

Your 25% might be substantial for someone else but little for you.

Its all about your future income - what you have, what you need, what you spend.

It's always noisiest at the shallow end
Poll: That Mbengue tackle

1
Login to get fewer ads

Pensions Advice on 12:32 - Oct 3 with 912 viewsstevec

Hard to say but I’m guessing you will carry on working, in which case probably worth a look whether your decision now, particularly if you take the 25% free of tax in one go, might tip any future withdrawals into a higher tax bracket.

On the other hand, you mention it’s not integral to your future finances, and given the debt level being carried and constantly increasing around this end of the world, it might be worth taking what you can get your hands on now and stick it in gold or under the bed.

Who really knows but best of luck.
0
Pensions Advice on 12:38 - Oct 3 with 891 viewsted_hendrix

Spread your cash, I've got dosh In a Building Society account that's been giving a good return for Months/Years, the interest has been paying our Monthly utility bills (just).
I've got a wedge that's been In an ISA for years, we renewed It again In august of this year, we spent a few hours going through various offers from various saving accounts to the point where It was getting tedious.
Don't gamble with your money, go safe when Investing.
Getting taxed on my Company pension makes me cry every Month.

My Father had a profound influence on me, he was a lunatic.

0
Pensions Advice on 12:38 - Oct 3 with 888 viewsMick_S

Pensions Advice on 12:32 - Oct 3 by stevec

Hard to say but I’m guessing you will carry on working, in which case probably worth a look whether your decision now, particularly if you take the 25% free of tax in one go, might tip any future withdrawals into a higher tax bracket.

On the other hand, you mention it’s not integral to your future finances, and given the debt level being carried and constantly increasing around this end of the world, it might be worth taking what you can get your hands on now and stick it in gold or under the bed.

Who really knows but best of luck.


Monsueir John. Take the 25 percent and spend it. It’s a laugh.

No problem, mate.

Did I ever mention that I was in Minder?

1
Pensions Advice on 12:41 - Oct 3 with 884 viewsdmm

Without wanting to cast any doubt on the advice offered here, to be sure you make the right decision, I'd consult a financial adviser specialising in pensions. There are so many different ways of managing your pensions, depending on your circumstances, it's worth paying a bit for professional advice.
2
Pensions Advice on 12:58 - Oct 3 with 813 viewsTheChef

Pensions Advice on 12:16 - Oct 3 by essextaxiboy

I would take the 25 % There were rumours last budget and in anticipation of Novembers that the chancellor will reduce or tinker with the tax free lump sum . I took mine in Feb .


Hmmm yeah, you can probably rest assured that governments don't want you with much disposable income to enjoy...

Poll: How old is everyone on here?

0
Pensions Advice on 13:22 - Oct 3 with 750 viewsTomS

It's a no-brainer. Maximise your tax-free withdrawals from your pension pots upon drawdown, ie take the full 25%. You'll be paying tax on every future withdrawal, so you'll be minimising your tax liability by taking the lump sum.
0
Pensions Advice on 13:31 - Oct 3 with 706 viewsStevenageRanger

You dont need to take in one hit the get 25% tax free (based on current rules that as someone said are rumoured to be changing)

Some info here

https://www.standardlife.co.uk/articles/article-page/tax-free-lump-sum-questions
0
Pensions Advice on 13:31 - Oct 3 with 706 viewsderbyhoop

I'm drawing mine now, from a decent sized pot, so only advice from me is general.
Save as much as you can, as early as you can. But, ensure you have ready cash available for emergencies. 3 months salary is about the right balance.

"Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the Earth all one's lifetime." (Mark Twain) Find me on twitter @derbyhoop and now on Bluesky

0
Pensions Advice on 13:46 - Oct 3 with 645 viewsE1Hoop

Is it possible that you can defer the taking of the pension. I had a work pension that triggers at 60 but i had the option to defer that for a few years. Not advice, but possibly another option.
0
Pensions Advice on 14:06 - Oct 3 with 609 viewsTripper

Would highly recommend this to anyone interested in understanding personal investments. Truly excellent course and free of charge.

https://rebeldonegans.com/finance/rfs/course-notes/?fbclid=IwdGRjcAND3U5leHRuA2F
0
Pensions Advice on 17:18 - Oct 3 with 333 viewsW12Mikey

A quick google search tells me that in some EU countries (sorry, it didn’t say which) your 25% lump sum withdrawal may be regarded as taxable income. So I would suggest you first need to ascertain whether that is the case where you live. Then, as another poster said it is very important to know whether these are defined benefit or defined contribution schemes. The former means you are not directly taking investment risk on what you leave in the pension. If defined contribution you also need to think about where it is invested and how you want to draw it down. There is a lot online about this, but your decision needs to be based on your own circumstances so I would suggest getting advice tailored to you. There must be professional advisers that deal with UK expats.
0
About Us Contact Us Terms & Conditions Privacy Cookies Online Safety Advertising
© FansNetwork 2025