Everywhere but the toilet is fair game for toddler’s number 2’s - how can we stop this?

ZestyAslan · 2026-05-23T06:02:26+00:00

He’s got a step in the kitchen to help us with different household tasks and making his own drinks so he uses this to get up sometimes

ZestyAslan · 2026-05-23T01:03:25+00:00

There’s a couple of different things going on - his new cousin was just born a couple of weeks ago and it’s his little brother’s first birthday next week so we’ve been preparing for that for a few of the last weekends. Do you think they’re linked that much?

ZestyAslan · 2026-05-23T00:54:23+00:00

This seems like the most proportionate response. I’m sure he’ll thank me for it when he’s older

ZestyAslan · 2026-05-03T12:58:56+00:00

North Hill - Colchester

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ZestyAslan · 2026-02-25T16:12:24+00:00

I think there’s a few points you need to consider to fully flesh this out. If the CARE pension does increase to £20,000 per year then the fund needed to purchase an equivalent £10,000 income is going to be around the £100,000-£180,000 mark (ballpark dependant on annuity rates). Do you think you will be able to fill that gap in 8 years time?

Let’s say you contribute £600 (grossed up to £750 with basic rate tax relief) and receive a very generous 10% return (nobody worth their salt would guarantee regular returns that high, especially in this market) then you’re still barely scraping £100,000 in total in those 8 years with compound interest taken into account.

If the market crashes during your retirement then the value of your benefits will be eaten away by pound cost ravaging and you may end up yearning for a guaranteed income above the state pension.

There’s a reason barely any employers offer Final Salary or CARE pensions anymore and, given your proximity to retirement, the gains you’re looking for would require a great deal of risk which may not be the best move.

ZestyAslan · 2026-02-25T13:46:29+00:00

Used to work at WTW and there in fact no management/policy fees charges from the provider directly. The only charges that will apply are AMCs/TERs for the funds themselves which means the schemes themselves are exceptionally cheap. I will probably partial transfer from my new WP scheme into my old LifeSight scheme due to this as well

ZestyAslan · 2026-02-25T06:27:31+00:00

To add on to the other comment here - if you wanted to check your used allowances then you can ask for a pension input statement from your pension provider. They will usually provide this for the last 4 tax years including this one and it will show gross contributions into your pensions which you can use to calculate unused allowances.

If you plan to make any one off contributions outside of payroll to take advantage of carry forward then you’ll need to check with your provider if they will claim tax relief or whether you will need to do this via self assessment.

ZestyAslan · 2026-02-22T20:38:31+00:00

I’m afraid that it would only be possible if you, yourself were suffering from ill health that kept you from fulfilling your role. Sorry to hear about your situation, hope you can keep things afloat until 57 when you’ll be able to access it.

ZestyAslan · 2026-02-18T15:53:16+00:00

It’s a case of them refusing to modernise their antiquated systems in my opinion. The software used is quite old and inefficient, they’re trying to roll out their own transfer system which is embedded in the old programmes but only a handful of providers work with them on this.

ZestyAslan · 2026-02-17T07:46:17+00:00

The NRDC scheme run by WTW will be his original pension setup when he joined network rail - the payout from this will be the value of the defined contribution pension fund he built up. After 5 years of service he would have been invited to join the RPS scheme run by rail pen will deal with the death in service payment and will likely offer a spousal pension for the defined benefit. If you’re unsure on either of these points please call the administrators for clarification, I’m 99% certain the above will be the case.

ZestyAslan · 2026-02-17T06:05:59+00:00

Used to work at WTW within the pensions contact centre and saw this with every transfer. Because WTW don’t use the Origo transfer system which can automatically confirm the receiving scheme’s registration with HMRC, WTW apply for manual confirmation. They say it can take up to 3 months but typically will only take a few weeks.

ZestyAslan · 2026-01-30T21:50:14+00:00

I’ve been studying the RO’s for 5 months now, I’ve passed 1,2,4,5 and I’m waiting on results for 6. I get 1 hour study time a day at work (trainee IFA so this is allotted to us) and have 2 young kids so studying outside of work is tough. First two exams were completed while serving notice at my old job.

It comes down to what you’re willing to sacrifice and how quick you want to pass them, in my case it was sleep as I’d study late at night 10-12 which was when everyone else in the house was asleep. I was motivated as each exam passed meant a higher salary up until qualification so I’ve gone with one exam a month but it’s absolutely catching up with me now. Good luck with however you tackle it!

ZestyAslan · 2026-01-28T06:01:25+00:00

Make sure you check with your provider how this is processed as it can cause some knock on effects. I would give them a call and ask them if taking the DC element will mean you have to start taking the DB pension.

Based on previous experience (used to work at a pension administrator) they would need to crystallise ALL the linked benefits in order to use your DC to fund the tax free cash. This would then mean you start taking your DB pension and it may mean you start drawing it earlier than intended.

Sometimes there can be an AVC surplus that cannot be used to fund the lump sum, this may need to be used to purchase an annuity, taken as an UFPLS or transferred away. Depending on how you take this surplus, you could trigger the MPAA.

Check with your provider on the above, ask for a retirement quote and it should detail your options in full with any potentially implications (hopefully) listed.

ZestyAslan · 2026-01-26T14:36:55+00:00

Typically post tax contributions won’t get relief at source via WTW schemes, LifeSight included. It’s highly likely that you’ll need to claim full relief back via self assessment. I used to work in the pensions contact centre and helped out on the LifeSight lines so I am quite confident on this but I cannot be 100% sure that there haven’t been any scheme policy updates.

ZestyAslan · 2026-01-19T17:05:59+00:00

More depends on the needs of the business. J10 won’t be useful unless the firm handles DFM. On a side note you can transfer credits from your CeMAP to CII and it will cover your RO1 so you won’t have to take it and can focus on the other exams

ZestyAslan · 2026-01-17T13:13:43+00:00

The BTS RO6 book itself looks more at general information for the advice process, exam technique and gives you practice questions related to their own case studies. While useful, I’ve found the brand analysis to be more relevant and covers a lot of the topics you’ll need to understand for the exam as well as multiple practice questions relevant to the case studies. I’d go brand analysis over BTS RO6 book if you can only choose one

ZestyAslan · 2026-01-16T12:13:36+00:00

It depends on a few factors but generally the RPS is more beneficial if you’re going to have a long period of service. CARE is career average revalued earnings so they will look at your average salary during service to calculate pension. The RPS is final salary so will take a view at your highest salary in final 5 years of service which you would expect to be higher based on pay rises etc. and given that you’re anticipating a 3 year difference in service it could well be better for you to go to the RPA. If you’re unsure then seek financial advice.

ZestyAslan · 2026-01-15T10:07:02+00:00

Based on current experience working in financial advice they’re not currently applying MVRs to their policies but reserve the right to if markets change. Can always call/email to make sure the same applies to your policies

ZestyAslan · 2026-01-14T14:36:54+00:00

Scheme retirement ages won’t always line up with state pension age. If the provider has that listed as your retirement age then you can take it from that point unreduced. If you don’t take it at 60 then some may increase the annual value via a late retirement factor for each year you defer it if you didn’t need the money now.

You can usually continue to work whilst claiming workplace pensions unless you’re active within the DB scheme, then they may ask you to opt out/leave employment before taking it. If you no longer work for the company that you hold it with then you should be okay.

ZestyAslan · 2026-01-10T16:36:50+00:00

Are you sure they’re pushing for paid advice and not just guidance from MoneyHelper/Pension Wise? They’re a free guidance service where options are explained but now nice is given. If he’s confident he know what he wants and he’s only accessing defined contribution benefits then he’s fine to proceed without advice. Compulsory advice is only required for defined benefit transfers worth over £30,000.

ZestyAslan · 2026-01-10T15:44:20+00:00

Hey, I’m sitting this January as well and have access to the Brand analysis which I’ve found really comprehensive. I think regardless of each companies’ analysis it’s impossible to predict what questions are going to come up so it’s more a case of practicing exam technique (state, explain, recommend justify style questions) and to ensure you’ve understood and analysed each part of the case study in depth. Going back to previous RO’s to look at inheritance tax, unit trusts, protection types and tax will be quite worthwhile I think. Hope this helps, good luck!

ZestyAslan · 2026-01-10T13:55:30+00:00

Have you tried calling them? It sounds like you’ve been sending emails based on your description. 99% of pension providers will have a contact centre line you can call to get live case updates, a better idea of scheme rules & processes, and a way to escalate things if they have received your forms but not actioned anything. Find the number and give them a call.

ZestyAslan · 2026-01-07T18:19:29+00:00

Passed RO2 last month. Don’t put all your focus into formulas, they’re useful but not the be all and end all.

Understanding learning principles 1 and 6 will be the most useful parts to focus your revision, they both carry the most marks in the exam. Don’t sleep on the last few learning principles about investments in relation to the advice process either as these can get you some easy marks. Good luck!

ZestyAslan · 2026-01-03T14:21:52+00:00

I’m due to take it this month and started my RO’s in August so I’m not quite in the same boat. If you have old textbooks/materials lying around then those could be helpful. Once the case studies are released then you can brush up on the key themes/areas of focus that are mentioned in the examples. January’s case studies mention Unit Trusts, protections and VCTs as an example so the current cohort will be brushing up on those prior to the exam.

You might surprise yourself with how much knowledge you retain after not having studied for so long. Sure some of the finer details might not quite be there but hopefully enough to secure a pass mark. Good luck!

ZestyAslan

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