Expert Pensions and Retirement Planning Advice

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Advice on State Pensions and Serps

You may be entitled to a basic State Pension (and an additional State Pension) if you’ve reached State Pension age and you – or your husband, wife or civil partner – have paid or been credited with sufficient National Insurance Contributions.

If there are gaps in your contribution record, then you might want to consider paying extra contributions to get more State Pension. If you have taken time out of paid work to have children or care for someone, your right to the State Pension may have been protected during these periods. Get a State Pension forecast first to find out how much you’ll be entitled to.

Converting your pension funds into income

After deciding whether to take any tax-free lump sum, you then usually have to convert what’s left of your pension fund into income. For most of us, this will mean buying a lifetime annuity. If you have a wife, husband or civil partner who depends on you, you will need to consider whether you want to buy a joint-life annuity. Contact us for the best annuity rates.

If you have a salary-related pension scheme, you don’t have to buy an annuity, as your pension will be paid to you direct.

Compare annuity rates

If you’re ready to buy an annuity, find out what your pension provider is offering and then ask us to shop around and compare annuity rates to find the best deal for you. Remember that the annuity you get is most closely related to interest rates and the amount of money in the fund. We can deal with any size of annuity, as low as £1000 and with no upward limit.