Child benefit claims plummet, meaning more parents lose state pension credits

The number of families claiming child benefit has plunged by 44,000 to 7.28million over a year, putting more parents at risk of a poorer old age. Parents – mostly mums – can end up tens of thousands of pounds worse off in retirement because not claiming deprives them of valuable credits towards their state pension. … Read more

Two married women get payouts totalling £14k after state pension blunder

Jean Hayes and her husband Richard: ‘Thrilled’ to get £9,000 payment from DWP Two elderly women have received around £9,000 and £5,000 in state pension payments they missed out on due to a government blunder. Many more retired women could be in line for payouts worth thousands of pounds, plus interest, if the administrative error … Read more

Dividends are vanishing, but you CAN protect your pension

Pensioners who rely on dividend payments from investments face a hefty loss of income this year as companies slash and delay payments.  Following the closure of millions of businesses due to the coronavirus, many firms are looking to do all they can to hang on to cash reserves to help them through the difficult time … Read more

Should I use my Lifetime Isa as a supplementary pension?

I‘ve heard that the Lifetime Isa is a bad way of saving for a pension. I’m 27 and hold a stocks and shares Lifetime Isa with Nutmeg, and I haven’t even considered whether there are legalities around what age I can take my private pension, something I haven’t needed to think about yet. Assuming I … Read more

Will I inherit any of my terminally ill husband’s state pension?

Will I inherit any of my terminally ill husband’s state pension when he dies? Steve Webb replies By Steve Webb for This Is Money Published: 07:36 BST, 30 March 2020 | Updated: 07:36 BST, 30 March 2020 I receive £150 state pension in my own right. My husband is terminally ill now. Will I receive … Read more

What to do with your pension if you are hard up or made redundant

People are living through exceptionally hard times, and matters are not going to improve for some while – they may get much worse. When people are struggling to make ends meet, and worried about their jobs or already out of work, they will prioritise what bills they must pay – food and shelter come first. … Read more

Arcadia halts £2m pension top-ups as it tries to cling on to cash in face of coronavirus lockdown

Sir Philip Green’s retail empire suspending payments to pension scheme as it tries to cling on to cash in face of coronavirus lockdown By Daily Mail City & Finance Reporter Published: 21:52 BST, 29 March 2020 | Updated: 22:01 BST, 29 March 2020 Sir Philip Green’s retail empire is suspending payments to its pension scheme … Read more

My ex is offering me a fifth of his pension in the divorce – is that fair?

I’m divorcing after 26 years of marriage. My husband is 73 and I’m 61.  He has a high value company pension and I have a small company pension due to part-time working to bring up the children. We have been separated almost three years now and I live with a new partner. He has agreed … Read more

Savers struggling in coronavirus crisis warned against pension scams

Savers who are under financial pressure or have lost jobs should beware scammers tempting them to tap pension pots early or switch them into dodgy investments. Taking money from pensions before you are 55 is especially hazardous, because the taxman slaps a heavy penalty on early withdrawals and the rest of your pot may then … Read more

How do I protect my pension in falling markets? Steve Webb replies

I’m desperate not to lose my £480k pension pot, but it’s down thousands – what can I do? Steve Webb replies By Steve Webb for This Is Money Published: 07:31 GMT, 26 March 2020 | Updated: 08:51 GMT, 26 March 2020 I have a Self-Invested Personal Pension worth £480,000. The majority of this was from … Read more