Pensions

[hampshireblue]

I have big decisions to make next month as i have had all the letters about my small private pensions that are ready to take, my brain is not sharp enough now to decide so will have to take advice, if i take them then it affects my benefits and the tax stuff so it is not straight forward by any means, i am worried that i will get a crooked financial advisor and get scammed !

There are a couple of IFAs on BM. I'm sure one of them could help, even if it's just a call to help reassure you. I've used one of them for 5+ years and I'm very happy with him.

 

[denislawsbackheel]

I’m in a DB scheme that pays out a lump sum when I croak and a 50% pension to Er indoors if she lasts longer than me. I was under the impression it doesn’t count as part of my estate for IHT.

If it’s a public sector one it doesn’t.
There is no pot to value.

 

[west didsblue]

If it’s a public sector one it doesn’t.
There is no pot to value.

Mine’s a private scheme which always had a notional value of twenty times the accrued pension, a figure that was used to calculate the maximum 25% lump sum.

 

[SCEtoAUX]

How old? ;-)

62, I'll correct it now, but will note my typo :-)

 

[kaz7]

Have a look at this. Gives some advice on what to look for in an advisor from an advisor. There will be other useful bits across his various YouTube videos or podcasts, but this was the first one of his I found and can be trusted in his suggestions, not least as his usual advice is most people don't need an advisor (although sounds like you're at the level of complexity where it's probably worth it)

Thanks lovely, i will have a watch

 

[kaz7]

There are a couple of IFAs on BM. I'm sure one of them could help, even if it's just a call to help reassure you. I've used one of them for 5+ years and I'm very happy with him.

Thanks lovely

 

[1961_vintage]

Thanks lovely, i will have a watch

He's also in Penzance so can be trusted!

 

[GornikDaze]

He's also in Penzance so can be trusted!

So a pirate, not a cowboy?! ;)

 

[DelToro]

Have a look at this. Gives some advice on what to look for in an advisor from an advisor. There will be other useful bits across his various YouTube videos or podcasts, but this was the first one of his I found and can be trusted in his suggestions, not least as his usual advice is most people don't need an advisor (although sounds like you're at the level of complexity where it's probably worth it)

Meaningful Money is an excellent production. Highly recommended.

 

[Blue Since 76]

So a pirate, not a cowboy?! ;)

A Yorkshire pirate - think originally Bradford.

 

[Kompany Car]

Meaningful Money is an excellent production. Highly recommended.

The other one I like is James Shack, nice and clear examples of strategies and pitfalls.

 

[jrb]

I’ve lost £7.5k in my 5 pension funds to spread the risk over the last few weeks across my 5 US and UK investment pension funds in Aviva.

https://edition.cnn.com/2026/02/05/tech/anthropic-opus-update-software-stocks

 

[East Level 2]

My Royal London drawdown pension is up 8.5% on the year, and that's with a minimum risk investment strategy.

 

[Blue Since 76]

I’ve lost £7.5k in my 5 pension funds to spread the risk over the last few weeks across my 5 US and UK investment pension funds in Aviva.

https://edition.cnn.com/2026/02/05/tech/anthropic-opus-update-software-stocks

Unless you're planning on taking it all out today, you've not 'lost' anything. If you're not retired and still contributing, it's the January/February sales, meaning you're buying at a discount, so good news.

 

[Gareth Barry Conlon]

I’ve lost £7.5k in my 5 pension funds to spread the risk over the last few weeks across my 5 US and UK investment pension funds in Aviva.

https://edition.cnn.com/2026/02/05/tech/anthropic-opus-update-software-stocks

I started the year at 331k it peaked at 335k but is at 330 today. So it's pretty much neutral.

The dips in the Nasdaq and S&P are fairly small. The overpriced tech is very volatile but markets in general are fairly quiet. I do wonder if there is a much bigger broader correction around the corner. The Las Vegas visitor numbers are a good indicator of underlying us economic strength. 2025 was 7.4% down on 2024.

 

[Kompany Car]

The last week has been a bit painful watching 5 figure sums just disappear. But its the stock market doing what it does. Just hold the course and keep on buying.

 

[dickie davies]

I’ve lost £7.5k in my 5 pension funds to spread the risk over the last few weeks across my 5 US and UK investment pension funds in Aviva.

https://edition.cnn.com/2026/02/05/tech/anthropic-opus-update-software-stocks

Nvidia stock currently up 7% on the day
Amazon, 8% down

I'm with Aviva and the bulk of my funds are held in

Aviva Pension Mixed Investment (40-85% Shares) (CU)

and

Aviva Pension International Equity (CU)

Neither of which have suffered in the last couple of weeks

 

[Kirkstall Blue]

We are thinking of buying a house in Manchester the purchase price 75% shared ownership” 68 years left on the lease. ?
I’ve never bought a house 75% shared ownership ?? and such a short lease. .

 

[Blue Maverick]

We are thinking of buying a house in Manchester the purchase price 75% shared ownership” 68 years left on the lease. ?
I’ve never bought a house 75% shared ownership ?? and such a short lease. .

The less on the lease the harder to get a mortgage

 

[Brooklands Blue]

We are thinking of buying a house in Manchester the purchase price 75% shared ownership” 68 years left on the lease. ?
I’ve never bought a house 75% shared ownership ?? and such a short lease. .

68 years remaining on a lease is an issue for most lenders as most require a minimum of 75 years at the conclusion of any mortgage term. There are exceptions like Santander and Nat west so don't be too put off by the 68 years remaining.