Live webchat with Prudential's Vince Smith-Hughes, Monday 26 November, 2pm

Not much I can ask about, currently unemployed, no pension plan, interest only mortgage with nothing in place to pay it off!

Hopeless case, really.

Hi Vince. I'm in my early 20's and haven't started saving for a pension yet, when do you think I should start? At the moment, I feel like my expenditures are so high (childcare, mortgage, train fare, food, petrol etc) I couldn't possibly set aside more money.

Hello. I was wondering whether it's better to get a pension with your employer or have one with a bank?

Hello Vince, what do you think about tying money up in property instead of saving into a standard pension?

Hey Vince. How much should I allow myself per year to live off my pension? How can I predict how much money I will need to live in decades time?

I have three (pathetic) pension pots from various past employers. Should I leave them alone or merge them (can I even do this?)

Is there any point in having a pension these days? Soi many people have saved for years to find that they don't have enough to live on. What advice should we be giving to our working children?

I'm ok pension-wise but I do worry for my son. He's in his late thirties, paying a huge chunk for child maintenance for my granddaughter (not that she necessarily sees any of it of course but that's another story). What little he does have he spends and I can't get cross at him for having that little bit of enjoyment. But I do worry about his future. Right now, he's managing but later on it could be an issue. Can I start a pension fund on his behalf? Or how do I make him see he needs to prepare for the future. He certainly can't rely on the state pension.

Vince: what is your opinion of Discounted Gift Plans for IHT purposes? My IFA is recommending it, but it all seems a bit drastic. I am recently widowed and I know my late husband was a bit iffy about it, although the money man tells me that he was coming round to the idea . My 'Trustees' think it's a great idea - but they would wouldn't they! Your comments would be appreciated.

Does your job position allow you to answer questions in an open, frank, and honest manner; if not then this exercise will be pointless.

I have a company pension scheme but the industry of the company - newspapers - is in steady decline. If the company goes bust do I and my pension have any protection or do I then have to rely on State benefits?

Hi ... where do I find Vince's responses/advice from Monday's live webchat?
Thanks.

I think, EmiliasNan you are a little previous. You will find them on Monday 26th November from 2 pm

When people ask me what my pension plans are, I usually reply "Learning to live on less". However, my question is more or less the same as ticktock's excepting that my Plus 1 has fairly extravagant tastes, and likes to play a lot of golf. Jokes aside - how much would an average couple with no mortgage or debt need to (comfortably) live on per year?

Hi Vince, I have several bits and pieces of pensions from various employers over my rather erratic career (some of which has been spent self-employed). I am not yet retired. Should I leave all these where they are (I have lost track of a couple of them) or should I consolidate them? Thanks

Could you possibly explain the difference between stakeholder personal pensions and sipps and what sort are better for which kind of person?!

My mother died young having paid into a pension from which noone got any benefit (don't think she'd signed right forms?). We didn't have much money when I was growing up and I often wonder if she would have been better off having a fun holiday or spending more on herself rather than scrimping to pay into a pension that none but the pension company profited from. So two questions I guess. 1) What can you do to ensure that the money you pay into a pension is enjoyed by someone should you die before you are old enough to claim it and 2) how do you balance how much income you pay into a pension vs how much you spend enjoying your youth while you still have it?

I had a hopeless Equitable life pension - having opted out of SERPS - whatever that meant! (still don't know) . I was out of the workplace having children and then have come back part-time and am almost 50 with no current pension. What can I / should I do. Every time I think about it I panic, but then do nothing. My dh has a pension but he keeps saying it's going to be worth nothing because of current economic climate. Would I be better buying a small flat to rent out (i think I could manage a deposit and small mortgage) and then perhaps sell that when I want to retire (or move into it and sell our house when we retire?)

I don't have an occupational pension. I am in a position to save about £200 a month and I am 53. Would I be better off payin off my mortgage (still £110,000 outstanding) or putting the money into ISAs or starting a personal pension?

Thanks

My mother is 82 and in good health - but is there any way of protecting her home against the possibility of having to go into a care home?

What factors should you take into account when choosing a pension plan? - and how do you know which one is right for you and also what the charges will be over the lifetime of your pension? - I worry that there will be hidden costs.

I read somewhere that a person in Denmark making the same contributions towards his pension over the same period would have a bigger income when he/she comes to draw the pension. The reason for this is the hidden charges UK pension funds charge- what is your response to this? Are we paying to much for our pensions?

Hello Vince,

I am still working and currently have three pensions, none of which I'm paying into at the moment. There's a final salary pension from my old employer, one with Standard Life and one with Friends Provident.

I'd like to start paying into a pension again even though my employer doesn't contribute.

What's the best course of action - do I amalgamate the three and just start paying into one? Or do I leave the three where they are and start a brand new one?

So confusing. Thanks in advance for your help.

I am approaching retirement in the next couple of years. Do I have to purchase an annuity at the point when I retire? I am in the fortunate position of being able to do without pension income for a few years and would rather purchase an annuity when the rates are more favourable. Is this possible?