Quote Originally Posted by darren-b View Post
State pensions went up by about 5% year, which is a lot more than most wages went up by....

In my opinion Joe's comments are spot on. For someone who isn't going to manage 30 years of full NIC due to not working, making up the missing years at a rate of ~£600 per year appears to be worthwhile both in terms of return and security of investment. Though obviously other sources of retirement income are required.

With recent events private pensions are not really be-all and end-all either. (Given the choice I would have opted out of my company pension scheme and invested in property.)
Spot on Darren-b, invest your money in bricks and mortar, okay they have come down in price last few years, but give it time, long term investment.
got two houses one here and one in Phils, goner buy another one in England

oh and i don't have pvt pension, they for loosers