National Insurance number

[Bluebirdjones]

Why pay to the Government ???? (via voluntary contributions)
This isn't your only option.

There are many private pension or savings schemes that you can pay into in this country.
Any financial advisor can tell you about them, and go with a reputable company.
... and most will allow you to vary your contributions.

Some will pay a monthly "pension" at retirement age.... whereas others will pay out a lump sum,
which you can use to buy an annuity.

[joebloggs]

Why pay to the Government ???? (via voluntary contributions)
This isn't your only option.

There are many private pension or savings schemes that you can pay into in this country.
Any financial advisor can tell you about them, and go with a reputable company.
... and most will allow you to vary your contributions.

Some will pay a monthly "pension" at retirement age.... whereas others will pay out a lump sum,
which you can use to buy an annuity.

true but i would have thought you would have to a lot more privately than £12wk to get £97 what ever the weekly pension is, also it will not go down in value, and it will not go up much either

[Bluebirdjones]

but a private pension ...
...will allow u the option of taking a lump sum out at retirement age
.... will be "transferable", hence allowing your various employers to pay into it (if they offer you this option)
....will allow you to increase/vary your contributions if u so desire.
... has tax advantages

If you're just relying on a State Pension for your retirement ...... heaven help you.

[joebloggs]

but a private pension ...
...will allow u the option of taking a lump sum out at retirement age
.... will be "transferable", hence allowing your various employers to pay into it (if they offer you this option)
....will allow you to increase/vary your contributions if u so desire.
... has tax advantages

If you're just relying on a State Pension for your retirement ...... heaven help you.

and if your relying on just a private pension, pray the stock market help you

i had a private pension where work put in 50% of what ever i put in a month for a few years, that was like 15yrs ago, i think the amount in the pot is roughly what i put in 15yrs agoi..

anyway my pension is my younger misses, shes be working for at least 6yrs after i retire

for £50 a month for the next 30yrs what will a private pension fund ESTIMATE to be paying out monthly ?? £400 a month like the state pension .?

[Bluebirdjones]

I'm not advocating relying on a private pension policy .... but to ENHANCE the Government's one !

As the vast, vast majority of working people make NI contributions, then they'll get a Govt pension.
But that ain't gonna keep you in the "quality of life" you require.
You also have to make other provisions.

And if that comment about "my younger missus...." is supposed to be humour ......it doesn't get me rolling on the floor,splitting my sides with laughter.
Perhaps you should have taken it a step further. Imagine if you'd married some-one 20 or 30 yrs younger.
Then u could have sat at home with your feet up, drinking your beer, flicking thru the TV channels, while your wife goes out to work to support your retirement for an additional 15-20years !

What a plank

[joebloggs]

And if that comment about "my younger missus...." is supposed to be humour ......it doesn't get me rolling on the floor,splitting my sides with laughter.
Perhaps you should have taken it a step further. Imagine if you'd married some-one 20 or 30 yrs younger.
Then u could have sat at home with your feet up, drinking your beer, flicking thru the TV channels, while your wife goes out to work to support your retirement for an additional 15-20years !

What a plank

what does get you rolling on the floor,splitting your sides with laughter then

yes maybe i should have found someone who had just turned 21

just think of all those years i could be drinking my tinnies in front of the tv watching corrie and east enders

fact is i dont drink at all and if you had read any of my posts since jan 2009 you'll see i've supported my misses more than any one could support their wife and i'm very proud of her

[Bluebirdjones]

Well, definately not your "humour"... and yes, I'm aware of your posts, your "history", which makes the comment you made even more onerous, and pathetic.

Like many on here, I've also supported my wife to the best of my ability, putting my interests second to hers, and also proud of her achievements.... so please do not make yourself out to be some sort of martyr. We've all made sacrifices in our own particular way.

This thread was about pensions, and voluntary NI contributions.
I merely stated that there were other options available, and that these should be explored.

.. you, in your wisdom, decided that the Government pension was the be-all and end-all.
WRONG !
From www.sharingpensions.co.uk/statepen.htm
"Since the introduction of the state basic pension the value of this benefit has reduced in real terms and will continue to do so in the future as annual increases are not keeping up with the growth in earnings or even the retail price index (RPI). To supplement the basic pension the government introduced the state earnings related pension scheme (SERPS) as an additional pension, this being replaced by the state second pension (S2P).

With SERPS it was in most individuals interest to opt for contracting out and direct the money to private pensions."

Your "advice" was both mis-informed and incorrect.

Live with it ... and lets move on.