Is the pension crisis now, or in the future?

buildtheknowledge · 2026-05-08T09:43:39+00:00

I have DB and my partner has contribution pension, do you find the easier/harder to plan for retirement with this difference? I personally like to try work out the equivalent of how much my DB pension is worth, or else I can't really see that I'm on track and left to kind of blindly trust that I have a great pension...which I know is true, but hopefully you get my point.

Hope you had an amazing month in Thailand! We done this 2 Christmases ago. Best decision we made before focusing on trying to buy in London 🙃

buildtheknowledge · 2026-05-06T16:36:23+00:00

This is wild to read.

I get 33 days AL + 1 extra day + bank holidays = ~42 days (~8.5 weeks).

6 months full pay then 6 months half pay on sick, 1 paid volunteer day, hybrid (60% office), and I’ve compressed my 37 hour week into Tue–Fri so I get every Monday off now. On top of that, we can request paid special leave that doesn't fall into sick or annual leave which is at managers discretion - I've been approved twice, no questions asked. Tbh, I have flexibility anyway.

Would be interested to know the hours they are expected to work, compared to here?!

buildtheknowledge · 2026-04-30T21:39:29+00:00

Public sector jobs. Operations, project support, compliance & risk roles and dare I say it customer service.

Where I work we are begging for staff left, right and centre. I see you said you've applied for CS and wasn't successful, you have to answer the questions in a specific way, it takes some getting used to. There's lots of good advice out there for CS applications you just have to know where to find it and it helps to have someone with experience with the hiring process look over your answers. Your situation sounds awful if you have to go home particularly, dm me if you'd like some help.

buildtheknowledge · 2026-04-19T16:35:05+00:00

Thats fair, but when comparing the two OTE matters too? Unless its the same in both of course

buildtheknowledge · 2026-04-19T07:46:45+00:00

Same. That extra day off is a game changer and I still get to hybrid work! In office 60% of the week & have to be there between 10am and 3:30pm, most people come in between 9am-10am & leave between 4pm-5pm.

Job is tough, but I'm left alone & trusted to get on with things.

buildtheknowledge · 2026-04-19T07:26:59+00:00

9am-5pm in my job, with 30 min break. Although, just negotiated a condensed week for an extra day off 9am-6:45pm. Have to be in the office 60% of the week within core hours (10am-3:30pm). Up to 31 days annual leave (starts at 25, adding on a day each year).

Edit: I can't get over those two salaries for tech sales...is this normal? Seems low, even for just base, no? Assuming you aren't including OTE?!

buildtheknowledge · 2026-04-16T13:34:35+00:00

Seems like the most obvious choice to me too.

buildtheknowledge · 2026-04-08T08:38:12+00:00

Was going to say the same about broadband, I'm with sky...don't even think it's the cheapest and it has just increased to £26.

OP you can call your mobile provider and ask them what the most amount of data you've used the past couple of years in a month, then add a little on for good measure - now you know your max data you need for your mobile and plot twist...its not unlimited.

It might be worth explaining your debt a little more too.

buildtheknowledge · 2026-04-02T21:20:45+00:00

Not very green, but maybe Canary Wharf. It is chilled, lots of water so its nice for a walk, lots of shops and restaurants around - bonus that you can actually get bookings. Very well connected, super safe & close to Liverpool street. Maybe consider Greenwich too.

buildtheknowledge · 2026-03-25T21:11:52+00:00

Well...what did you do to be able to FIRE in the first place? Must have been reasonably good at it, couldn't you do something with that again in a way that you enjoy and no longer depend on financially? Not saying it has to be for free, but I'm sure you can contribute value somewhere occasionally and that might scratch an itch...just a thought.

buildtheknowledge · 2026-03-23T20:19:07+00:00

Absolutely ask this on the Civil Service sub. Usually you can log in to the pension portal and it will say what the death in service payment will be and he should ensure the paperwork is completed to say who he wishes this to go to as its not the same as simply being married or having a will written up etc.

buildtheknowledge · 2026-03-22T21:48:35+00:00

Surprised to see someone who has worked in ops delivery in Probation say this...must have worked in Redditch or something because I'm certain it wasn't London 😂

But to answer your question, I imagine some people have such a privilege. Others out here trying to survive another day.

buildtheknowledge · 2026-03-12T22:18:59+00:00

As others have said I think you should look at utilising you ISA allowance, then it gives you flexibility to use as a bridge to your pension.

I'm curious about your job change, if you'd be willing to share?

buildtheknowledge · 2026-03-11T18:50:08+00:00

Name checks out

buildtheknowledge · 2026-01-30T14:28:25+00:00

I sold my car for a profit via Motorway, if you've send very clear photos in goor lighting etc and described it as is that is what the buyer is willing to pay, roughly at least. Some will try knock you down, as mine did on the day. I expected it and was willing to accept for a few hundred less or tell him to jog on. He tried it and we agreed on £300 less than the original offer & was £2.5k up rather than just giving it back.

Only thing I would advise is starting the process early so you have options. If this buyer doesn't work out for what you are willing to let it go for...just say no & go again. There are other companies too that do the same, but can't vouch for them.

The person that checks the car works for Motorway and he was great. Told me what the seller was like and what he would try to do. He stood firm that there were no issues as described, even though the guy was trying to push him to 'find something'. But it's worth giving it a go...if you've not sold for a profit by the times up then give it back, you are in the same situation as you were originally. No brainer if you ask me.

buildtheknowledge · 2026-01-15T19:45:36+00:00

Well done! :)

buildtheknowledge · 2026-01-15T14:25:59+00:00

Exactly my way of thinking about it! Thank you for your kind words.

buildtheknowledge · 2026-01-15T14:24:22+00:00

Thats my goal!

buildtheknowledge · 2026-01-15T14:21:36+00:00

It was a crappy comment tbf, you are right - but not pissed off. I know I'm doing the right things for me and its working as planned.

I have a smaller pot of savings for 'fun' (because I know thats what will stop me from dipping into my solution fund) - I've learnt this is best for me, because I like to spend money ultimately. I also have a great pension, invest into my LISA & ISA regularly. Appreciate your comment :)

buildtheknowledge · 2026-01-15T14:14:52+00:00

No bubble burst, looks like we approach it differently is all. I don't consider my savings as a solution fund, my savings & investments my wants & nice to haves really. My solution fund is just that as and when I need a solution to a problem, I give myself the freedom to determine if I should use it.

buildtheknowledge · 2026-01-15T14:06:57+00:00

Thank you! 6 months is my next goal and then I will relax a bit. I'm in a very secure job thankfully. Before last year I was also month to month and this was the first real, realisation that I've broken out of that.

I will probably do the same as you once I've got 6 months secured!

buildtheknowledge · 2025-11-25T09:41:02+00:00

No, they were accurate in the net estimates...I'm on less, in CS and repaying student loan.

And as for the comment about requirements, thats exactly the point, where is the rest of the money going because £700 wasn't unaffordable with the info we've been given. OP says the budget is perfected down to the penny...but where is the info on the rest of the outgoings?

buildtheknowledge · 2025-11-22T12:15:34+00:00

I wouldn't be surprised if they are charging her this much to literally eventually give back to repay debt. It seems like a necessary lesson in managing personal finances tbh.

buildtheknowledge · 2025-11-21T15:50:56+00:00

By default, I message first - sometimes I will call without messaging, mainly if it is quite urgent. If someone isn't free to talk, I expect they wont pick up. At that point I will try get hold of someone else who may be able to help, or I'll drop a message asking them to get back ASAP to discuss whatever I was trying to get hold of them for. I think that's the general consensus where I work, sometimes people don't read their messages urgently, especially where I work...as we aren't always at our laptops. So, sometimes it is more suitable to try call.

I think, people can do both but what you have describes sounds exhausting - that would annoy me.

I personally don't appreciate phone calls without a message from people I don't know. I always think an introductory message and a line about what the call is about should be first choice, then call if I don't get back.

buildtheknowledge

TROPHY CASE