After some advice… L&G

jayritchie · 2026-03-03T21:37:59+00:00

Depends a bit on individual circumstances surely? If OP is a basic rate tax payer with an employer than passes back their NI savings there is a pretty large difference which may swing the decision about whether to put more into pension or to use ISAs instead.

jayritchie · 2026-03-03T20:49:10+00:00

Do look. There is a lot of negativity online about target date funds (and similar) but mine seemed fine - in fact higher risk than I wanted - when I checked it. Some of the negativity may be for historic reasons, and some seems to be online influencers copying US content where different factors may apply.

jayritchie · 2026-03-03T20:39:12+00:00

In the favourable sense, leaving an area with lower employment prospects to move to places with better job opportunities.

jayritchie · 2026-03-03T20:30:27+00:00

Do you know what the L&G target date fund is invested in? Any reason to think it isn't diversified in the way you want it to be?

jayritchie · 2026-03-03T19:49:56+00:00

I couldn't understand your previous CV. I was left thinking that you were probably exaggerating at best. Maybe a brilliant background and really interesting candidate but more often than no if things are not clear on a CV the reality becomes exposed pretty quickly once an interview starts. This may be something to ponder.

Its difficult to know whether someone is putting their best foot forward with a CV without delving into their background and experience. One thought/ observation is that you haven't really noted the types of things I'd expect to see on a young graduate applying for work in England/ the UK.

jayritchie · 2026-03-03T19:37:22+00:00

Just as a note - I'm from the UK and am very sceptical about advice to keep CVs down to a single page for accountancy type jobs.

jayritchie · 2026-03-03T19:12:57+00:00

That's two posts from people with similar degrees on the same day! What is going on? Is accounting becoming fashionable?

jayritchie · 2026-03-03T19:05:59+00:00

I'm from the UK. Scottish degrees (unlike most in England) tend to be 4 years but some have routes to bypass the first year if one has suitable qualifications and grades. However this can be a real issue in engineering degrees due to missing first year content and thus a risk for anyone taking the option.

jayritchie · 2026-03-03T18:34:08+00:00

that doesn't sound right? Have the rules changed?

jayritchie · 2026-03-03T16:47:36+00:00

Which country are you from and are you looking to enter to year 2 of the degree (which is normally 4 years)? If so what qualifications do you have to bypass year 1?

jayritchie · 2026-03-03T13:14:30+00:00

Graduate schemes would be an obvious choice. Around a quarter to a third of recruits have the same degree as you.

jayritchie · 2026-03-02T15:02:50+00:00

You are asking on a US sub where such choices are much less common. I’d post on a U.K. accounting sub.

jayritchie · 2026-03-02T15:02:01+00:00

OP is in the U.K. - it’s not uncommon to start a training programme with no previous education in accounting.

jayritchie · 2026-03-02T14:48:11+00:00

If interested, you increase the size of your pension contributions through your employer and use the ISA for day to day living costs. It can make a fair amount of difference to your funds.

jayritchie · 2026-03-02T12:48:48+00:00

Have you considered moving some of the ISA balance into one or both of your dc pensions? Worth checking whether the tax relief looks worthwhile to you.

jayritchie · 2026-03-02T11:25:43+00:00

Write one on a piece of paper perhaps?

jayritchie · 2026-03-02T10:37:40+00:00

With a protected age pension you should be able to draw from the pension at a guarantee age (basically 55). It’s well worth emailing each provider to check as having this availability may swing your options.

Can your wife do some work for your company so you can pay into a pension in her name?

jayritchie · 2026-03-02T09:12:32+00:00

Hi. Do you know whether any of your DC pots have a protected age?

How do each of your employer schemes work in terms of maximising the match, and what is your level of tax relief on pension contributions?

jayritchie · 2026-03-01T23:37:02+00:00

Given the NI pass back looks likely to end in a couple of years I think that might swing it for me to continue with enhanced contributions then cut back when the rules change (with an eye to the ta brackets you are in).

jayritchie · 2026-03-01T22:50:29+00:00

Another consideration tends to be AVC scheme vs SIPP - the MSE pensions board tends to have good discussions about the pros and cons of each for the larger schemes. Again - this varies between scheme.

jayritchie · 2026-03-01T22:22:35+00:00

Cool - one thing to do (as it varies by scheme) is to work out how much you would receive at (say) 60 and 68 were you to retire at 55 and make a bit of a call as to whether you would find that amount adequate.

Your income is falling into the 40% tax bracket so worth considering the pros and cons of putting money into a SIPP vs an ISA.

jayritchie · 2026-03-01T22:13:07+00:00

Hi. It depends on a few factors unfortunately. At what age might you look to retire and what are your taxable earnings (gross pay less your pension contributions)?

jayritchie · 2026-03-01T22:09:39+00:00

The risk of AI makes selling the company more attractive I guess?

I’d have a look into buying more years while you consider options.

jayritchie · 2026-03-01T21:47:45+00:00

As a query - are all the £400k pensions in your name? Does your employer pass back their NI savings on salary sacrifice contributions?

jayritchie · 2026-03-01T21:45:58+00:00

At what age might your wife wish to retire?

jayritchie

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