Episode Details

Welcome to another Q&A show - this week we cover tax free cash from DB pensions, annuities vs drawdown and whether you should pay down a buy to let mortgage or invest. Plus quite a bit more!

Shownotes: https://meaningfulmoney.tv/QA9

Questions

00:41 Question 1 Hi Pete and Roger. Thanks for your wisdom over the years. My question came about from an answer you gave on a previous Q&A about AVCs and tax free cash. You mentioned it was possible (sometimes) to use AVCs as tax free cash to preserve the maximum DB benefit. I have some follow up questions that relate to - A small DB pension that doesn't appear to offer tax free cash. - A small DB pension that does offer tax free cash, but I have left that job so can no longer contribute to that pension (AVCs or otherwise) I don't have AVCs in these pensions, but I do have a DC pot separately. Would I be able to use take tax free money from my DC pension if I took it at the same time I took the DB pension sort of in lieu of the tax free component of my overall pension?

I suspect this is clutching at straws, but thought it worth checking. Many thanks. Loyal listener, Mark

03:11 Question 2

Hi Pete & Roger! I hail from Northern Ireland and enjoy your Podcast to keep my mind active and up to date in all things financial - Top job. I have been looking at having a go at Voyant after various spreadsheets of my own as a way to play with the numbers so was considering a meaningful academy course - question is which course is right for me? I am in mid 40's and financially secure so in theory wealth all ready built? Mortgage paid, multiple residential and commercial properties owned debt free and an sizeable equity portfolio and so should I be looking at the retirement or wealth course? John

05:30 Question 3 Great podcast and been an avid listener for the last year. I have a question which, I think I know the answer but I'd be curious on your perspective.

Background: - I divorced in 2021 and as part of that agreed to transfer the house over to my ex-wife and a charge put on the deeds so that when it's sold I'm owed a percentage of the sale. - The house going on the market will be (or should be) triggered when my youngest son reaches 18 or leaves full-time education. This will be either 2028 or 2031. - Since the divorce I've been able to purchase another house and this is my permanent residence.

I'm a higher rate tax payer, and when that ex-marital home is sold I'd expect to get somewhere around £200k. However I won't actually need that to hit my retirement goals and would prefer to pass that onto my 3 kids.

Could you please discuss options on how I might do that in the most tax efficient way. Best Regards, Dave

10:38 Question 4 Hello Pete & Rog,

I stumbled across the show a month ago and have been "binge listening" since then, its amazing, where have you been all my life, keep it up guys. I am actively preaching the Gospel according to Pete to all and sundry.

I am a 61 years old Veteran in receipt of a Military (DB) pension to the amount of £18k per annum, which is index linked to CPI. Additional to this, I have a moderate private pension to the amount of £150k which I contribute £500 per month, it has an approx growth of circa 15%

I also have a small Stocks and Shares ISA, valued at £15k which I contribute a minimum of £250 per month, this is also growing at approx 14% pa. I am currently working and contributing the minimum amount into a work placed pension with NEST.

I am planning to look at retirement at either my next birthday in October 25 (62yrs old) or continue until 65 as I am enjoying work. I have deliberately avoiding factoring in my wife as she is a senior manager within the public sector and has a good DB scheme Final/Average earnings Pension.

My question is pension related and I have a dilemma as to decide