Pensions are, of course, designed to
enable you to save sufficient money to live comfortably after you have retired
from work. There are many different 'tools' used to save for retirement and the
taxation and investment elements of pensions can appear baffling. We specialise
in explaining , recommending and monitoring pensions for you. Below are the most
common sources of pension to fund for your retirement.
The Basic State Pension
- for people who have paid sufficient National Insurance contributions while
at work or have been credited with enough contributions.
Additional State Pension
- this is now the State Second Pension (S2P). Before 6 April 2002, it was
known as SERPS (State Earnings Related Pension Scheme). From 6 April 2002,
SERPS was reformed to provide a more generous additional State Pension for low
and moderate earners, carers and people with a long term illness or
disability. The reformed additional State Pension is known as the State Second
Pension. State Second Pension is based upon earnings on which standard rate
Class 1 National Insurance contributions are paid or treated as as having been
paid. Additional State Pension is not available in respect of self employed
income.
An Occupational Pension (through an employer pensions
scheme) - if your employer operates a pensions
scheme, it's usually a good idea to find out about the benefits of the scheme.
A Personal Pensions Scheme (including Stakeholder
schemes) - open to nearly everyone and
especially useful if you are self-employed or your employer doesn't run a
company scheme.
State Pensions may not produce the same level of income that
you will have been accustomed to whilst working. The full Basic State Pension is
only £90.70 per week (2008/09) for a single person (though you would be able to
claim means-tested state benefits if that was your only income). It's important
to start thinking early about how best to build up an additional retirement
fund. You're never too young to start a pension - the longer you leave it the
more you will have to pay in to build up a decent fund in later life.
Please see the related documents for more information on Pensions and Retirement
Planning. The Financial Services Authority does not
regulate Taxation Advice