Well that depends on the reason for the falls. If we enter a deep recession rates get cut which pushes bond prices higher thus anchoring a portfolio. They absolutely do work its just people are basing everything on the last 10 years of 0% rates. Of course the only way from there was down in prices and up in yields.
Pension fund performance - do you monitor yours, how is it doing, do you actively change it?
- Thread starter danlightbulb
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Soldato
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Yeah, I mean the yields are still low, so it's still the case that yields need to continue going up to make them worth having, so prices will fall. Seems like they're pacing yield rises to avoid tanking prices again. Which means it might be a few more years until they are priced correctly.
No, just like the stock markets the bond market is forward looking. Its priced on what it expects to happen and right now that is rate cuts at some point in the near future <1year.
Two years in cash is the sweet spot for me, whilst the investments do their thing.
I would classify S&P 500 VUAG as more risky but went with 100% VHVG (Developed World) in the aim to put away monthly and lump sum yearly to steadily increase the pot over the years without thinking too much about it and enjoying the now as never know what is around the corner. Just leave the pot behind for partner or kids if not around.
It's kinda different when your retired and you may feel different about then as I'm sure I will once I retire.
Often now if we get an unexpected bill we can use the option of waiting till our next pay check to come in before paying it.. but if we did that during retirement we could need to withdraw money from investments when times are bad.
Stuff like a replacement car, house repairs or an forced trip aboard could quite easy zap 1-2 years buffer along with that years "salary" you given yourself... but I guess it depends on how big your buffer is.
Personally I've going to cycle mine in fix term cash ISAs.. have a cash ISA that matures every year then use that as my salary for the year.
I have gone above this which is probably a bit foolish, but I've been on my bum, in debt and skint before and never want it to happen again. Saying that, I put very little into cash savings now, instead maximising S&S ISA and Pension contributions.
If I got fired tomorrow I could choose not to work and survive for a decent amount of time. Doubt that's going to happen but being a glass half-empty person I need the comfort blanket.
I have gone above this which is probably a bit foolish, but I've been on my bum, in debt and skint before and never want it to happen again. Saying that, I put very little into cash savings now, instead maximising S&S ISA and Pension contributions.
If I got fired tomorrow I could choose not to work and survive for a decent amount of time. Doubt that's going to happen but being a glass half-empty person I need the comfort blanket.
I thought that... but then someone on another thread reminded me that my current work place has a ridiculous redundancy package that includes 1 month pay for every year of service and 6 months gardening leave. So as long as I don't get sacked for doing something stupid, in which case I'm likely to end up a guest of HM, or throw my toys out of the pram, the redundancy package should see me out.
Yeah, similar package here. If I got made redundant I could retire straight away. Not sure if I can stick it out too much longer though - I'll see how the land lies next year.
Soldato
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Think I'm going to keep it simple...
[90%] VHVG https://www.vanguardinvestor.co.uk/...rld-ucits-etf-usd-accumulating/portfolio-data
[10%] VFEG https://www.vanguardinvestor.co.uk/...g-markets-ucits-etf-usd-accumulating/overview
This roughly tracks the emerging % of the VWRP one but has less ongoing fees https://www.vanguardinvestor.co.uk/...rld-ucits-etf-usd-accumulating/portfolio-data
This will be how I split my S&S ISA and SIPP.
My workplace pension is a little more experimental and ex-UK as I feel like I'll get enough UK exposure here.
[90%] VHVG https://www.vanguardinvestor.co.uk/...rld-ucits-etf-usd-accumulating/portfolio-data
[10%] VFEG https://www.vanguardinvestor.co.uk/...g-markets-ucits-etf-usd-accumulating/overview
This roughly tracks the emerging % of the VWRP one but has less ongoing fees https://www.vanguardinvestor.co.uk/...rld-ucits-etf-usd-accumulating/portfolio-data
This will be how I split my S&S ISA and SIPP.
My workplace pension is a little more experimental and ex-UK as I feel like I'll get enough UK exposure here.
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Pretty much what I intended to do but for now just went 100% VHVG and probably revisit the Emerging further down the line.
OH has done ex-UK and was favourable in her pot.
Soldato
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I considered going more heavily into the ex-UK thing as well but I think that this strategy should be less volatile, and should still get good returns.
Given I will be doing ex-UK in my ongoing workplace ones, then I think it's OK to include UK in my SIPP and S&S ISA, so I get exposure to both here.
In here is as good as anywhere I guess. Wife's got a pension somewhere that she can't track down, company that went bust and no longer exists.
Used the government page and got a number but when she gets through they say it's blocked and gave her a different number that she just can't get through on.
So what next?
Used the government page and got a number but when she gets through they say it's blocked and gave her a different number that she just can't get through on.
So what next?
Do you have any statements etc?
Was it a final salary/defined benefits pension? Or a workplace pension run by an insurance company?
What type of scheme was it?
Anyone else that she worked with / still in contact with might have details?
No statements, not even to her parents house.
From what I have found it was a company pension
CIBA UK PENSION TRUST LIMITED overview - Find and update company information - GOV.UK
CIBA UK PENSION TRUST LIMITED - Free company information from Companies House including registered office address, filing history, accounts, annual return, officers, charges, business activity
find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk
I'll ask about the last point, that's a good idea. Though from what she said BASF bought them out and a lot moved the pension at the time, she was advised not to.
Update she phoned the pension advice helpline who told her the first number was correct and to insist or she'll contact the ombudsman.
What do you know they suddenly find it all and sending her it all in the post.
Why would they say it was blocked for no reason?
What do you know they suddenly find it all and sending her it all in the post.
Why would they say it was blocked for no reason?
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strange
Couple of possible links for you to try
https://www.epfif.com/companies/ciba-specialty-chemicals-pension-fund/ - not sure if a totally unrelated but worth a call.
Looks like https://www.basf.com/gb/en/who-we-are/UK-Pensions.html certainly has some connections.
Also how long was she there? If it was less than 2 years, it's likely she was refunded her own contributions at the time of leaving (most people claim they weren't but actually can't remember)
Man of Honour
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I'm 66 today and my state pension starts in two weeks.
I'm quite surprised that I'll be getting £249 a week and that's besides my other pensions.
I thought it was going to be around £185.
I'm quite surprised that I'll be getting £249 a week and that's besides my other pensions.
I thought it was going to be around £185.
And too think all the planning I do I completely ignore the state pension so it'll be a nice bonus come that time.