I have a total pension value of £177,000 which is held with one provider. I believe the Government will only cover £85,000 of my pot if something happens to the company that hold my pension. Is that right, and if so what can I do to protect it?
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What will happen to pensions under Labour: Will it slash tax relief, raise the state pension age, or compensate Waspi women?
Labour is planning a major review of pensions, which is bound to make savers apprehensive as it implies that everything will be on the table. Chancellor Rachel Reeves, pictured right, has ruled out a Budget before September and said even then there will be no surprise tax changes. The new Work and Pensions Secretary is Liz Kendall, pictured left, who has shadowed the role since September 2023. We look at what will be on their agenda.
I saved £100k into my pension last year: How do I protect my retirement pot against any tax changes by Labour? STEVE WEBB replies
I contributed approximately £100,000 to my pension in the 23/24 tax year, taking advantage of the abolition of the lifetime allowance and using unused allowances from previous years. I now wish put my pension into drawdown to avoid any potential tax changes or anti-forestalling legislation introduced by a new Government.
ASK STEVE WEBB A PENSION QUESTION
When will low earners start to get tax relief on their pension contributions?
The Government has introduced a new pension top-up scheme for people on low income. People earning less than the personal allowance of £12,570 do not get tax relief on pension contributions. The new scheme will pay the tax relief into the bank accounts. Could you please explain how the scheme works?
STEVE WEBB ANSWERS YOUR PENSION QUESTIONS
- Why does Nest have stricter rules than other pension schemes?
- I'm on Universal Credit - will my private pension payments be taken into account?
- If I take 25% tax-free cash from my pensions can I then pay more into them?
- I've tried for 19 YEARS to get a one-year error in my NHS pension record put right
- I'm seeing a financial adviser about my pension - what should I ask them?
- My disability benefit hasn't protected my NI record and I'm 18 years short due to missing credits
- I'm worried about losing annuity income if my husband dies before me
- Can I get my private pension at 55 due to this bizarre birth year quirk?
- I'm struggling to hit a tight deadline to turn six pensions into a £17,500-a-year annuity
MORE PENSIONS NEWS AND TIPS
What does Labour's election win mean for your money? From tax, to pensions and homes, what Keir Starmer's government plans to do
The manifesto was notably light on detail, but now the votes are in we will finally find out what Labour intends to do on regaining power after 14 years of Tory government. New Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has pledged to prioritise economic growth. Here are the proposals we know about so far and the things that have been left unsaid and what Labour in power could mean for your finances.
'At my wits' end': Stranded 66-year-old condemns DWP failure to start his state pension on time - we expose SECOND payment bungle
Dennis Haslam, pictured, told us the lack of income was making him and his wife ill with stress as they had to 'put life on hold' and run down their savings. Last week, we reported that an NHS nurse was forced to delay retirement and keep taking shifts because the DWP failed to start paying her state pension when she turned 66.
How to get your financial affairs in order before you die: An estate planning expert explains how to prepare a vital file to help your family
'Dad's dead - what happens next?' A colleague of mine died last year after a long illness, and that was the title on the front of a folder that he had left for his family, writes Ian Dyall, head of estate planning at Evelyn Partners. As well as generating a smile from those who appreciated his dry humour, it was an exceptionally thoughtful and useful gift to his family. It is an idea that I have adopted myself - here's how to go about it.
Will your pension be enough for a comfortable old age? Savers are split on whether they'll make it
A third of people set to retire in the next two years are not confident they will be financially secure, according to a study by Barnett Waddingham. The consultancy firm found those who are confident tend to hold investments beside a pension and own their home, advantages which are both more prevalent among male savers.
Millions of older people would still pay income tax on their state pension under 'triple lock plus' promise, a new study finds
An estimated 2.5million pensioners, or one in five of those living in Great Britain, receive a state pension above the income tax threshold. The £12,570 personal allowance marks the point at which income tax kicks in, and it has been frozen since 2021, prompting the Conservatives to offer a 'triple lock plus' pledge in their manifesto.
My aunt wants to sell my gran's house at a knockdown price to another family member using power of attorney - can we stop her?
The house has been valued at £300,000 plus. However, my mum's sister is trying to sell it to another family member for almost £50,000 less. This seems illegal, as someone holding power of attorney is obligated to act in the best interest of the person they represent. My mum wants to ensure they get the highest possible price for their mother's property to properly cover her care expenses. Lawyer Chris Gilbert of Nalders replies.
Parents feel 'trapped' into living near grandparents in order to benefit from free childcare
Families are finding they're stuck in a 'parent trap' when it comes to where they live with many needing to be close to grandparents in order to get help with childcare. Half of parents with children under the age of 13, live less than five miles from their nearest grandparent, according to a new study by Zoopla, with seven in 10 being a 30 minute journey away. Full-time places in nursery now cost as much as £140 per day - the equivalent of £33,700 a year for one child or £2,800 a month.
Savers blast the Government over state pension top-ups chaos, as we discover MORE blunders leaving people thousands of pounds out of pocket
Chris Taylor, 72, pictured left, spent £740 nearly eight years ago on top-ups that turned out to be worthless, but did not receive a full refund until we intervened. Martin Ryves, 65, pictured right, paid £4,900 to boost his state pension in May last year, but his money vanished until we and his MP asked the Government to investigate. We have previously reported that untold sums of top-ups cash could be sitting in government coffers, instead of being processed to boost state pensions or repaid to people.
How would Lib Dem plan for free personal care work... and how much would it cost to give people help with tasks like washing and dressing?
The party is pushing proposals that would assist older and disabled people with everyday tasks like washing, dressing and receiving medication, and boost the pay of care workers to address staff shortages. The plan for England is similar to the system in Scotland, where free personal and nursing care is available to all adults assessed by their local authorities as eligible. How would it work, what might the other parties offer, and what is the response from experts?
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MUST READ FROM PENSIONS
- What does Labour's election win mean for your money? From tax, to pensions and homes, what Keir Starmer's government plans to do
- HMRC says sorry after 77-year-old woman with Alzheimers is hit with £10-a-day fines over late tax return
- Half a MILLION more pensioners are paying income tax compared to last year, latest HMRC figures show
- 'At my wits' end': Stranded 66-year-old condemns DWP failure to start his state pension on time - we expose another bungle
- Grandparents could boost their state pension by £6,000 thanks to looking after their grandchildren How to check if you qualify
- How to get your financial affairs in order before you die Estate planning expert Ian Dyall explains how to prepare a vital file to help your family
- Will your pension be enough for a comfortable old age? Savers are split on whether they'll make it
- My aunt wants to sell my gran's house at a knockdown price to another family member - can we stop her? . Lawyer Chris Gilbert replies.
- Savers blast the Government over state pension top-ups chaos, as we discover MORE blunders leaving people thousands out of pocket
- How to keep inheritance plans on track after a divorce: Here's a six-step legacy checklist to ensure your wishes are carried out
- How would Lib Dem plan for free personal care work... and how much would it cost to give people help with washing and dressing?
- Can YOU claim housing benefit? Here's what help is available if you are elderly and struggling to pay the rent
- What is triple lock plus? New Tory pledge would shield pensioners from paying income tax on the state pension
- What will the election mean for your pension? Is the state pension triple lock safe?
- I'm starting a new anti-FIRE movement called CHILL, says ANDREW OXLADE
- Will Labour bring back the lifetime allowance? Experts weigh the chances that limit on pension saving will be back - and what you can do
- I'm 65, have £180k in cash savings and want to retire next year - how much monthly income could I get?
- Many people are in the dark about the state pension... so what do YOU know? Myths debunked and SIX key questions answered
- CRANE ON THE CASE I wanted to move my £20k work pension - why am I still stuck waiting nearly a year later?
- How do we stop our troubled child gambling away their inheritance? We can't just exclude one child from our will Diva Shah of Kingsley Napley replies
- Families with TWO retired generations will surge to one million in a decade: Savings have to stretch further if you want to help out your loved ones
- A breaking up survival kit: How courts set the ground rules when splitting assets in a divorce, by retired judge STEPHEN GOLD
- The age you can tap work and private pensions will rise to 57 soon How to plan ahead to avoid it disrupting YOUR retirement
- EXCLUSIVEWe wasted thousands on state pension top-ups after WRONG advice from DWP and HMRC
Latest from Pensions
- Do you want investment growth AND a guaranteed pension? How to combine drawdown and annuities to maximise retirement income
- Who is new Pensions Minister Emma Reynolds - she's handed a 'joined up' dual role at DWP and Treasury
- What will happen to pensions under Labour: Will it cut tax relief or raise state pension age?
- Will my state pension be paid when I retire - or do I need to claim it?
- How do I protect my pension against tax changes by Labour? Steve Webb replies
- Has Steve Webb answered YOUR pension question? Read all his replies to readers' retirement queries
- How much extra does an inflation-linked annuity cost and is it good value
- I'm on Universal Credit - will my private pension payments be taken into account? STEVE WEBB replies
- Are you 66 and still waiting for your state pension? DWP pays £7k to widower after six-month delay
- When will low earners get tax relief on pension contributions?
- Half a MILLION more pensioners are paying income tax, latest HMRC figures show
FUND AND TRUST IDEAS
- EVENLODE GLOBAL EQUITY: Chipping Norton set who go about their business the quiet way
- RTW BIOTECH OPPORTUNITIES: Innovation 'super-cycle' could see biotech fund go off like a Rocket
- THE EUROPEAN SMALLER COMPANIES TRUST: Fund that runs with the winners in global markets
- ALLIANCE TRUST: The 'dividend hero' that's poised to maintain its amazing record
- UTILICO EMERGING MARKETS: Building a better future - thanks to an exports bonanza in Brazil
- THE HENDERSON SMALLER COMAPNIES INVESTMENT TRUST: The smaller firms champion forecasting a big future
- CQS NATURAL RESOURCES GROWTH AND INCOME: Golden opportunities in sight
- JOHCM UK EQUITY INCOME FUND: Rate cuts... and a spending boost that will turbo-charge retail giants
- ODYSSEAN INVESTMENT TRUST: Newcomer's knack for seeing unloved gems turn into polished diamonds
- FIDELITY SPECIAL VALUES: Best of British... fund that seeks to steal America's Big Tech glory
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Investing: don't miss
- What could Labour mean for investment returns? How Prime Ministers have fared since 1970 - and there is a surprise name at number one
- What next for Amazon shares? Why analysts till rate the high-flying US giant a 'buy'
- The $10trillion tech giants Value of Nvidia, Microsoft and Apple combined makes world's third largest economy
- How to invest in the new wave of commercial property - high-tech offices lure staff and investors
- Gold is riding high but should you buy? we asked the experts... plus.... the best ways to invest
- Money market funds - what are they and can they be a better option for parking your cash than a savings account?
- ALLIANCE TRUST The 'dividend hero' that's poised to maintain its amazing record
- I'm an investment expert - here's why I'm backing robotics manufacturer Intuitive Surgical Paul Niven, fund manager at F&C Investment Trust.
- Nick Train vows to back 'world-class' British businesses after apologising for a dismal performance
- I'm 65, have £180k in cash savings and want to retire next year - how much monthly income could I get?
- Why fund managers are buying these FTSE 250 bargains The shares experts think can cash in as UK markets soar
- I'm starting a new anti-FIRE movement called CHILL, says ANDREW OXLADE
- Forget the Presidential Election in November The result will not derail the long-term appeal of US assets, says AXA IM's Chris Iggo
- I want to invest £600 a year for my new baby, what is the best way to do it - and how much could it grow to?
- We started investing for our first daughter shortly after she was born and the account is up 72.66% in five years, writes LEE BOYCE
- Britons cash in on gold price boom by selling it to the Royal Mint How do you buy AND sell bars and coins... and what's the best way?
- The stocks to spruce up your portfolio These three Great British brands could benefit from DIY boom
- Where early bird Isa investors put their cash: From a tracker, to Fundsmith and Lloyds shares, these are the top 10 buys
- The best investment trusts for your pension revealed TWELVE expert tips to build your pot or get a decent retirement income
- Why is bitcoin halving? How the first event in four years could affect the value of the cryptocurrency
- 20 dirt-cheap British stocks experts say could make you a fortune Follow Warren Buffett's dictum to be greedy when others are fearful
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My investment pot has swelled to £46,100 after sticking away £300 monthly - have I dug myself into a capital gains tax trap?
- Are YOU an Isa early bird? Investing in a global tracker on day one every tax year for the past decade could have made you £38k better off
- I've been an Isa investor for 25 years and these were my biggest mistakes: ANDREW OXLADE
- How to invest for income in your Isa? Experts share their eight top dividend fund and trust picks
- Half of people are open to investing in a British Isa - but are they a bad idea due to the risks of 'home bias'?
- I'm an Isa millionaire - here's how I built a seven-figure fortune and my top tips for building a chunky tax-free pot
HOW TO RETIRE IN RICHES
How to invest your pension and live off it in retirement: A 12-step starters' guide - and the pitfalls to avoid
While many people dislike the idea of an annuity, the alternative means keeping your pension invested in retirement and managing it yourself - a process that can be confusing and full of pitfalls. So here's a checklist, from investing, to income, taxes, the state pension, inheritance, illness, financial advice and much else.
Beware market shocks in early retirement: Pound cost ravaging can wreak permanent harm - so how do you protect YOUR pension fund
Investors can rack up big losses early on and never make them up if they aren't careful. People who persist in taking an income in those circumstances can pile up future problems. But you can put defences in place against market shocks before you retire, and there are ways to overcome investment setbacks in the early years too. Find out how...
Pension lifestyling: The dangers of a 'de-risking' strategy in run-up to retirement... should you opt out and stick to stocks?
The bond market crash in recent months has drawn attention to a little-known or understood investment strategy that many workers are 'defaulted' into in the run-up to retirement. Some older workers have discovered to their horror that they are sitting on huge losses right on the brink of retirement , which they might be forced to delay as a result. Here's what you need to know about pension lifestyling...
How to squeeze the most out of your work pension: From free cash, to cheap investing and handy money saving perks... 16 tips to boost your retirement
Modern work pensions are essentially cheap investment products provided and subsidised by employers. At a time when money is tight, it's worth exploring what they can do for you - including some obscure and surprising add-on benefits. Auto enrolment into work pensions takes the hassle out of saving for retirement, but you could be missing a trick or two by not looking any further than that.
Elderly women are owed £3bn in state pension arrears by the DWP in scandal we uncovered - so are YOU affected and what should you do?
Elderly women could receive nearly £1.5billion in state pension arrears after being shortchanged for decades, the Government admitted this week. A lot of women are understandably asking if they missed out on thousands of pounds in state pension, and we explain how to find out and what to do if you are owed money by the DWP. The scandal was uncovered by former Pensions Minister Steve Webb and This is Money, after we launched an investigation into a reader question to his weekly column in early 2020.
How to defend your pension from the taxman: Eight tips from the experts on keeping your retirement fund out of their clutches
No one wants to save up all their working life for a decent retirement only to get stuck with an avoidable tax bill. Unfortunately, there are many tax traps for the unwary when it comes to pensions. It's especially important to find out about them if you decide not to get financial advice when you start tapping your fund. We asked pension experts for their tips on what trips people up the most often, and how to keeping a retirement fund as safe as possible from the taxman.
10 ways to avoid inheritance tax: How to stop the taxman grabbing some of your estate from your loved ones
There are many legal ways to dodge the dreaded 40 per cent 'death tax' if you want to pass on the maximum sum possible and are prepared to plan ahead. Here's our round-up of 10 ways to reduce or avoid a large inheritance tax bill, some of which can be undertaken easily by any ordinary person without the need for elaborate arrangements or to pay for professional help.
Spend your pension pot last! We reveal the order to use savings in retirement to defend your cash from the taxman
Hoard your pension and spend other cash and investments first, to keep your money away from the taxman. That's the advice experts dish out to retirees worried about inheritance tax. But anyone who wants to minimise their annual income tax, or use up their capital gains tax allowance efficiently, might also benefit from not spending a pension first.
Five steps to find YOUR buried pension treasure: Savers have lost 2.8m pots worth a total £26.6bn - here's how to hunt them down
Job switching, auto enrolment with every move, and people's tendency to lose pension information and not update schemes with contact details are all behind the rise in orphaned pots. The cost of living crisis has highlighted the importance of tracking down lost pensions to boost your eventual retirement income, according to an industry campaign to help people find them.
Could YOU get care fees 100% funded? Find out the six key steps to applying for NHS cash to cover your bills
James Urquhart-Burton, pictured, partner at Ridley & Hall Solicitors and an expert in care funding, explains how to make an application for yourself, or a loved one. It's crucial to check your eligibility to avoid unnecessary bills, and never too late to ask for an assessment, but you will have to be proactive, he says.
You can get care fees fully funded on the NHS but what if you are rejected? The 10 key steps to mounting an appeal
Getting your or a loved one's care fees fully funded can be a struggle, and many families feel their cases are wrongly rejected. James Urquhart-Burton, partner at Ridley & Hall Solicitors and an expert in care funding, lays out the potential grounds for objecting to an NHS refusal and how to make a successful appeal.
Pension jargon like DB vs DC, UFPLS and 'benefit crystallisation' baffles savers: We decode 14 terms to help you enjoy a richer retirement
We decode some of the jargon, from the more commonplace to the exotic, that you might come across when exploring your pension options. It comes as research shows that while savers heartily welcomed pension freedoms launched in April 2015, they feel baffled and overwhelmed when dealing with the new choices opened up to over-55s of spending, saving and investing their retirement pot.
ASK A PENSIONS EXPERT
How do I cut my troublesome sister-in-law out of any inheritance from my 95-year-old grandmother? HEATHER ROGERS replies
To avoid in the future potentially my brother's wife being entitled to some of the inheritance we have discussed the option of my grandmother leaving 100 per cent to myself. My brother and I have a very good and close relationship. This would keep the money safely under my control. I would then when the time is right use the money to provide things for my brother such as a car, holiday and so on. My question is are there any tax implications on me spending potentially large amounts on 'gifts' for my brother?
Can I ditch my useless financial adviser...? A money expert explains how to negotiate a break-up if you pay chunky fees every year for bad service
A few years ago I employed a financial adviser to consolidate all my company pensions, and my personal pension into one pension. Since signing up, I now pay a percentage of the value in fees to the financial adviser each year and I don't feel I'm getting value for money. Basically I have an annual review where they advise not to do anything with the pension. Do I have to have a financial adviser or am I allowed to manage my pension myself? Veteran money expert Henry Tapper, pictured, replies.
More gems from Pensions...
- What is the triple lock and how much is the state pension now?
- Should you combine your pension pots? It can make retirement investing easier (and potentially cheaper)
- Living on your pension investments? Beware the 'pound cost ravaging' trap: Here's how to sidestep it during market volatility
- Can YOU claim pension credit? Here's how to top up your weekly income to at least £203.85
- How to top up your state pension to boost retirement income... plus Steve Webb's six golden rules
Latest from Pensions
- Do you want investment growth AND a guaranteed pension? How to combine drawdown and annuities to maximise retirement income
- Who is new Pensions Minister Emma Reynolds - she's handed a 'joined up' dual role at DWP and Treasury
- What will happen to pensions under Labour: Will it cut tax relief or raise state pension age?
- Will my state pension be paid when I retire - or do I need to claim it?
- How do I protect my pension against tax changes by Labour? Steve Webb replies
- Has Steve Webb answered YOUR pension question? Read all his replies to readers' retirement queries
- How much extra does an inflation-linked annuity cost and is it good value
- I'm on Universal Credit - will my private pension payments be taken into account? STEVE WEBB replies
- Are you 66 and still waiting for your state pension? DWP pays £7k to widower after six-month delay
- When will low earners get tax relief on pension contributions?
- Half a MILLION more pensioners are paying income tax, latest HMRC figures show
- Why haven't my state pension payments started? Stranded 66-year-old condemns DWP
- Grandparents can boost state pension by £6,000 - just by looking after their grandchildren
- How to get your financial affairs in order for family before you die
- Why does Nest have stricter rules than other pension schemes?