Pensions archive

Published in December 2009

7 top ways to boost your pension!

by Jane Baker | Find out how to ensure you get a higher income when you come to retire.

Published in November 2009

Three ways to boost your pension you've never heard before

by Jane Baker | Find out how to get more out of your retirement savings with these three little-known pension tricks.

The five biggest pension scandals

by Neil Faulkner | We look at the huge and often tragic cost of the biggest pension scandals of the past twenty years.

Pensions vs. ISAs: The best way to save

by Jane Baker | Which is the best way to save for your retirement: ISAs or pensions?

Published in October 2009

Why property should be part of your pension plan!

by John Fitzsimons | If you want to ensure you have a decent, comfortable retirement, property should be a crucial part of your pension plan.

Prepare now for your twilight years!

by Donna Werbner | Donna Werbner goes out to get your two pence on whether the State Pension is enough to live on.

Pensions are for girls

by Harvey Jones | Harvey Jones explains why women need to wise up about pensions

The top six worst snags with pensions

by Cliff D'Arcy | Cliff D'Arcy investigates the six biggest problems with pensions.

The top five worst pension mistakes!

by Jane Baker | These five common pension mistakes will cost you thousands! Find out how to avoid them.

Published in September 2009

How to pick the best pension funds

by Jane Baker | The key to building up a decent pension pot is to invest it well. Here's how to do that!

4 reasons why the lottery is better than a pension

by Harvey Jones | Harvey Jones investigates why you could be better off buying a lottery ticket than investing in a pension...

Is it safe to save in a pension?

by Alison Hunt | With the recent financial turmoil, is saving in a pension still a good idea?

Published in August 2009

Put your pension right in four simple steps!

by Harvey Jones | The outlook for pensions is looking brighter, so it's time to take action and sort yours out!

Why it's vital to protect your pension income

by Jane Baker | If you buy a standard annuity with no bells and whistles it'll only last as long as you do. But here's a very cheap way to protect it.

Up your pension pot by £94,000!

by John Fitzsimons | An extra £100 a month towards your pension contributions can make an almighty difference to your standard of living in retirement.

Make this pension mistake and lose £36,000!

by Rachel Wait | Make this mistake with your pension before you retire and you could lose £36,000 or more.

Published in July 2009

Why you should transfer your pension

by Jane Baker | Keeping on top of your pension planning is the key to a happy retirement. Here's how to do it in five easy steps.

How to pick your first pension

by John Fitzsimons | Choosing your first pension can be a tricky decision. John Fitzsimons looks at what needs to be considered before you take the plunge.

The great pensions dilemma: should you bother?

by Harvey Jones | Harvey Jones admits pensions aren’t perfect, but says the alternative is much worse. His friend Jamie thinks they are the scourge of the devil.

Become a pensions expert in five days

by Donna Ferguson | Find out how to become a pensions expert in five days - it's a lot easier thank you think!

The bankers have destroyed our pensions

by Harvey Jones | Greedy bankers and inept politicians have destroyed the retirement plans of hard-working savers. In the second of his series on money dilemmas facing real people, Harvey Jones explains why this makes his blood boil.

Soapbox - Why you should save for a pension

by Ed Bowsher | Ed Bowsher reckons you shouldn’t just rely on the state for your pension.

Make this mistake and lose 20% of your pension!

by Jane Baker | Make this awful mistake with your pension and you could lose 20% or more of your retirement income every year.

Published in June 2009

Six ways to boost your pension income

by John Fitzsimons | Pensioners have been hit hardest by plunging saving rates and rising inflation. John Fitzsimons outlines six steps you can take to boost your income.

No hope for final salary pensions

by Jane Baker | The writing is on the wall for many private sector final salary pension schemes. If you have one, what does it mean for you?

Help! I cannot afford a pension

by Harvey Jones | When is saving into a pension a complete waste of money? And if you can't afford to save right now, will you be OK? Harvey Jones investigates.

Published in May 2009

Why pension savers should still trust the stock market

by Jane Baker | Stock market returns over the last decade have been diabolical, but here's why pension savers should still invest in shares.

Yet another raid on pensions

by Jane Baker | Upcoming changes to pension legislation for high earners are far from welcome. But make sure you don't fall foul of the rules.

Why you should start your pension today

by Jane Baker | New research from Halifax reveals half of Brits don't pay into a pension. Here's why that could be a huge mistake.

Why deflation is bad news for pensioners

by Jane Baker | Lower prices might sound like a good thing, but deflation should be a cause for concern if you're retired...

Published in April 2009

How women can boost their pensions

by Alison Hunt | Find out how the government’s latest changes could help more women (and men who’ve taken career breaks) claim the full State Pension.

Are stakeholder pensions properly protected?

by Malcolm Wheatley | Your stakeholder pension may not be as well protected as you might think.

How to cope with pension cutbacks

by Cliff D’Arcy | As a large insurance broker takes a knife to its company pension scheme, we come up with five ways to enhance your pension.

Published in March 2009

Why you should boost your pension with your savings

by Jane Baker | If you think savings rates just aren't good enough, should you plough your hard-earned cash into your pension instead?

Draw a bigger income from your pension pot

by Jane Baker | If you are prepared to risk leaving your pension invested in the stock market, you can enjoy an annual income which could be hundreds of pounds higher than you would get from the best annuity.

Money saving tips for the over-60s

by Rachel Wait | If you’re over 60, make sure you’re not missing out on your share of benefits...

Why printing money is bad news for pensioners

by Jane Baker | Annuity rates are already low, but the government's decision to print new money will only make matters worse.

Twenty years of DIY pensions

by Cliff D’Arcy | Self-invested personal pensions (SIPPs) were launched two decades ago this week. We explain why these do-it-yourself pensions are really taking off.

Top up your state pension today and save £1,232

by Jane Baker | If you need to top up your contributions to get the full basic state pension, this article could save you £1,232.

Make the most of your pension pot

by Jane Baker | Should you take 25% of your pension as a tax-free lump sum on retirement - or use it to increase your yearly income?

Published in February 2009

Do this or lose 20% of your pension

by Jane Baker | Read this article to find out why you should be very careful when the time comes to take an income from your pension.

Earn up to 12% on your pension pot

by Cliff D’Arcy | Investors over fifty can earn guaranteed, secure and ultra-high rates of return on their spare cash, thanks to this pension loophole.

New Pensions Plan Is More Good Than Bad

by Harvey Jones | Critics have attacked the government's plans for personal pensions, but the scheme has some plus points.

Five reasons why ISAs are better than pensions

by Jane Baker | Here are five key reasons why ISAs could be a better way to save for your retirement than a traditional pension scheme.