The Meaningful Money Personal Finance Podcast

This week we answer questions on the loose theme of capital gains tax and investing via General Investment Accounts (GIAs). Spoiler alert - nothing’s as simple as it might seem! Shownotes: https://meaningfulmoney.tv/QA11    01:06  Question 1 Whenever a question comes up in our Facebook group about Capital Gains and GIAs (General Investment Accounts) I get a sinking feeling as I do not know much about that type of account, and I don’t have one myself.  I am not alone. I have gathered questions from our listeners about capital gains, so in this episode Pete & Roger can tell us all about Capital Gains, Dividends, and anything else we need to know about using a GIA, and other situations which involve capital gains tax. 19:03  Question 2 Hi both, I've recently discovered your podcast and have thoroughly enjoyed my commutes listening to you. Personable and informative. I have a question about selling my buy-to-let property that is in my personal name. My mortgage term is ending in June 2026 and I'd like to sell it for one of better quality that has less issues. I'm currently a higher-rate taxpayer but we're planning to start a family in the next year, meaning I'll be on maternity leave for 12 months which will push my salary down to basic-rate. Impossible to plan when I'll get pregnant but it would be useful to know how HMRC calculates my salary (and over what time period) so that I pay basic-rate CGT when selling my buy-to-let? Apologies for a very wordy question! Thanks a lot and best wishes, Winnie 22:17  Question 3 Hi Pete, I hope you're doing well! I’ve been really enjoying the Meaningful Money podcast and had a question I’d love to hear your thoughts on the show: In a general investment account (GIA), is it's better to use an income fund to avoid triggering CGT if income is needed (assuming the dividends covers the needs in the short term)? Thanks so much for your wisdom! And keep up the great work on the podcast! :) Best regards, Chloe 26:53  Question 4 Hi Pete, Roger (and Nick who I assume is reading this :-)) I have a question I'd be grateful if you could answer which is around capital gains tax on any shares or funds held outside an ISA/pension. To use an example with higher numbers so that the allowance is used for simplicity: - You have £100k in a GIA - it increases by £10k a year for the first two years; - it's then down £2k in the third - the total value is now £118k - You then want to draw out £10k - How do you work out what capital gains the tax is to be paid on i.e. is the full £10k considered a gain? - Is the withdrawal from the original £100k or from the increase in value i.e. gain? - Would you be better to withdraw up the annual allowance every year and then put it back in to reduce the gain, considering there's no allowance for the impact of inflation? Love the show, keep up the good work in whatever format you decide going forwards - you've made real differences to the way I've managed my investments over the years, especially at scary times like Covid and your book and courses have given my kids the education they need for their long investing lives. Thanks, Dino 36:39  Question 5 Hi Pete & Rodger, I started a deep dive into our overall finances over the Christmas period, to set the picture I am 47, my wife’s 42 and we have two children a boy 5 & a girl 3. I received a diagnosis last year which will have a long term impact on my ability to sustain my current level of income & type of work I do. We have a 154k mortgage with 19 years left on the term, with the uncertainty around my health I have decided to target maximum overpayments on the mortgage, this year we can pay 18k extra. My questions are: 1. I plan to save circa 1k per month salary to put into the overpayment pot, I am hopeful that the HL shares will meet past highs and I can use some of that money to top up the salary savings and hit our target. Do I pay tax on the profit I make from selling shares? If it’s no more than 3k? I was hopeful I could sell shares annually and withdraw the gains annually, then reinvest in same stock when they dip. I realise that past performance isn’t always guaranteed but monitoring since covid the stocks I am invested in are fluctuating from a £15 low to £20 high annually. So looking to sell at £19.5. Is this the best way to use the extra cash at present given the plan to access quickly at times. I have maxed out isa allowance for current FY (2024/25) but will probably pay the 1k per month into an isa in new FY. 2. I am planning to do lump sum overpayment rather than setup monthly, just to give easy access to funds should they be required. I plan to cash in some company SIPPS annually when they aren’t taxable (after 5 years) that sum will be on average 1k per year. Will the SIPPS cashed in and gains from HL sales leave me vulnerable to paying capital gains tax? If all goes to plan we could be mortgage free by 2033 approximately and there would be less of a dependency on my salary. Deep down I just want us to be setup financially as best we can with the uncertainty around my health. I would really appreciate your views, love the podcast and it’s been a real source of knowledge to me. Best Regards Lee 43:52  Question 6 Hi Pete & Roger, I found your YouTube channel last year and through that the Podcast – both are absolutely fantastic and have helped me and my family so much with many aspects of managing our money and planning our finances. My question relates to if and to what extent capital gains tax can be offset by making SIPP contributions. My wife and I jointly own a buy to let property that we are selling in the new financial year (25/26).  When the sale completes, we expect to each have a taxable capital gain of around £30,000.  My wife earns around £10k a year from a part time job, therefore most of her gain will be taxable at the lower rate of 18%.  For the last couple of years, she has made annual gross SIPP contributions 100% of her earnings (£10,000) which is the maximum gross contribution she can receive basic rate tax relief on. This year, as well as contributing the usual £10,000 gross, (100% of earned income), can she also contribute up to a further £30,000 gross and receive basic rate tax relief on this additional contribution, thus offsetting the CGT paid on the gain from the property sale?  If so, with CGT payable at 18% and basic rate tax relief of 20%, contributing the full £30,000 would actually more than offset the CGT (which I fear is too good to be true). If this is the case, is there any other strategy we should be considering to achieve the same or similar outcome?  I have really struggled to find definitive guidance around this, so any clarity you can provide will be much appreciated. Many thanks and keep up the great work. Steve

Market volatility can stir up anxiety, but maintaining a long-term perspective is key. Historical context reveals that downturns are common, and patience pays off. The concentration of U.S. markets is scrutinized, particularly the influence of major tech companies. Interestingly, older investors highlight the importance of time in the market for financial recovery. Ultimately, avoiding impulsive decisions during turbulence is crucial, as sentiment often overshadows fundamental factors. Calm and measured strategies lead to better outcomes.

Listeners dive into intricate financial topics, like maximizing pension contributions and navigating tax implications. The hosts discuss private health insurance options amidst NHS delays, weighing pros and cons. They also tackle Lifetime ISAs for property purchases, emphasizing tailored strategies based on personal situations. The conversation extends to the complexities of SIPs and ISAs, touching on inheritance tax and withdrawal strategies. Lastly, insights on employer-defined contributions help clarify long-term investment decisions, ensuring financial security.

This insightful discussion dives into the complexities of pensions, specifically defined benefit schemes and how they relate to tax-free cash options. The hosts also explore strategies for retirement planning, weighing the pros and cons of annuities versus drawdown methods. Valuable tips for balancing buy-to-let mortgages with investment opportunities are shared, alongside advice on managing financial portfolios and maximizing contributions. Listeners learn about navigating wealth transfer and the nuances of tax implications, all aimed at optimizing financial strategies for a secure future.

This episode dives into listener queries on personal finance, starting with the complexities of withdrawing from a Lifetime ISA while relocating to Australia. The hosts emphasize the importance of early financial planning and the potential tax benefits of switching to a SIPP. They also discuss the necessity of life insurance for family security, especially when debts are involved. Additionally, the conversation touches on NHS pension schemes and the challenges of navigating pension drawdowns while ensuring financial stability in relationships.

Welcome to another Q&A show. This week we cover moving abroad, inheritance tax and paying into a pension while drawing from another, and lots more besides! Shownotes: https://meaningfulmoney.tv/QA7   01:16  Question 1 I’ve been a long time listener for my entire working career and your podcast has been invaluable to getting me to the great position I’m in now. I have recently been offered a very exciting job opportunity abroad (specifically Luxembourg) and I’m thinking about financial issues I might want to cover. I am 29 and have a mid-five figure sum in each of my ISA, LISA, and DC pension in the UK. I hope to save and invest heavily abroad with a FIRE sort of philosophy. I wonder if there are any big things to think about in preparation for a move, or things to do while in the EU that will make a move back easier. I realise this is probably a complex question, and maybe too niche for a podcast episode. I’ve considered getting a one-off consultation with a financial advisor before my move, do you think this would be worthwhile, and if so what sort of service or green flags should I be looking for? (Assuming Jackson’s is not a specialist in this area!) Thank you again! Stuart 06:24  Question 2 Hi Pete, Hi Roger, May I ask a question about pensions now being subject to IHT. My father in law’s strategy for passing on his wealth was to pass on an unused pension, previously protected from IHT, and he had also invested in AIM shares, again also previously exempt from IHT but now subject to 20% tax. He is nearly 82. What options might you suggest for him to consider on either of those points, but in particular the pension point. Draw the pension and gift it? Thank you very much. Love the pod and religious listener! Jo 13:00  Question 3 Hi Pete and Roger, A great many thanks for all that you do towards simplifying personal finance principles. It is with thanks to your guidance that I am living within my means and on a budget with clear financial objectives. My question today is on behalf of a family member, let’s call her Glynda. Glynda is 58 years old and intends to continue working until she can claim her full state pension. She currently has two private pension pots, one is a SIPP on the Vanguard platform and one is her workplace scheme with a smaller provider I’ve never heard of called Creative Trust. A few years ago, she chose to withdraw her 25% tax free cash allowance from her SIPP with a view to investing this in rental property. For one reason or another this didn’t actually happen so she is now saving this aside as her 18 month cash buffer. To withdraw the 25% tax free cash, she had to “crystallise” the entire SIPP pot. The remainder is still invested in 100% equities - the growth engine as you say, but it is now in a flexi access drawdown account, not a pre-retirement pot. Meanwhile, the workplace scheme is growing nicely with contributions of around £3500/yr, which is not insignificant on her modest salary. This pension is not yet “crystallised” and is also aggressively invested through the limited fund selection on that platform. You have spoken at length about pensions but my question has not yet come up, though I appreciate it may be niche. If the SIPP has been crystallised and the Workplace scheme has not, can they still be combined? Does Glynda need to take her tax free cash from her workplace scheme BEFORE transferring/combining this scheme into her SIPP for ease of management? If she opts NOT to take the tax free cash before transferring, does she lose that option? What is the point of “crystallisation”? Why is it even a thing in a world of flexi access drawdown, it seems irrelevant to me. Do platforms charge different levels of fees post-crystallisation? If so, can Glynda transfer her crystallised SIPP to a new provider if savings can be made on fees. Many Thanks, Sam 19:48  Question 4 Hi Pete and Roger, I have been an avid listener to the podcast for a long time now, probably 5 years, what a journey! Thank you for all the content you put out. Pete; I think I read your book first which put me on to the podcast, or perhaps it was the other way around, I can’t remember. I’m pleased to say that when I read your book, I then went through it with a fine toothcomb and ticked off everything I needed to do! Needless to say I’ve been in a good situation for a while now, thanks to you, your book and this podcast. I still use a Meaningful Money Budget Spreadsheet to plan my monthly finances! I did leave a review a good while ago on the app store letting you know how Meaningful Money has helped me! I have attached a picture of my copy of your book, hope you don’t mind all the post it notes! My question is surrounding Emergency Funds and what criteria we should apply as to whether something is an “emergency?” Classic things such as a broken down car, a leak in the house or the boiler breaking down are all perfect scenarios for an emergency fund. But what about other more vague scenarios? This question has come about because of my current situation. I unfortunately have a toxic boss and work environment which is affecting my mental health. It’s clear I need to leave the job, as my continued attempts to change the environment and my mindset have been unsuccessful. So, I am about to hand in my resignation, in the next few weeks and just go ahead and use my emergency fund, as this detriment to my mental health cannot continue. However, there’s a strong feeling inside that this isn’t really what an emergency fund is for. Particularly too, as I don’t have a strong exit plan. I have no other job lined up, I just need to get out of there. So what do you think? Should the fund have strict rules as to what is, and is not an emergency? I suspect your answer will be that the holder of the emergency fund decides what is and is not an emergency. That being said if there isn’t strict rules surrounding it, then it would be quite easy for someone to decide a night out on the ale is an emergency due to a stressful week! Or can the rules be more “fluid” and a night down the pub is acceptable? Sorry about the pun! I’d be interested to know your thoughts. Thanks again and I look forward to hearing your response! Many Thanks, Phil 24:36  Question 5 Hi Pete & Roger Thanks for all your podcast episodes - I've been listening for years and you've saved me a lot of money through not needing to pay an advisor (thanks to your free info) and not making expensive mistakes. I'm not sure if I'm your core demographic (33yo woman in London) but find all your content useful for me, my friends, brother and parents. My question: I co-own a flat and live in it. My friend owns the other half but doesn't live with me. We have a joint residential mortgage and also have to pay a £250pm service charge and ground rent as it's a leasehold with right to manage. It's a 35yr mortgage so we get about £200pm equity and pay around £800pm interest. It's a great flat but I want to move to a larger property in a different area, initially renting as it'll take quite a long time to sell the flat (for various reasons I won't go into!). If we rent the flat out and I go and rent elsewhere, I'll be making a loss on the flat (I'm a 40% taxpayer and the rental income would cover the mortgage + service charge + agency fees but I believe I'd have to pay tax on income not profit hence the loss). There's also insurance, council registration fee, maintenance etc. Obviously I'd then pay rental money to a landlord too for the house I move to. I know property taxes have changed in recent years and I'm very supportive of landlords being taxed on profits. However, my initial research suggests that professional landlords who buy property through companies only pay tax on (company) profits whereas I'd pay tax on revenue. I'd pay 40% vs them paying corp tax (25% ish?). Is my understanding right and is there any regulation or tax relief specifically for "accidental" landlords who are also renting a home themselves rather than having a big empire of properties as a business? Also how would the tax work for co-owners, would I just pay 40% tax on half of the rental income? My friend lives abroad in case that's relevant. I know there are a lot of accidental landlords due to cladding, relationship changes etc so am hoping the question is also useful for other listeners. Thank you! Emma 32:33  Question 6 Thanks for an excellent podcast - one of the best in the personal finance space. Around 6 years ago I inherited a low 6 figure sum which I put into a GIA. Each year I have made Bed & ISA transfers to diffuse any Capital Gains and to move more of my money into a tax shelter. As we have had a strong investment environment over this period I still have a reasonable balance in the GIA. Now the government has reduced the annual Capital Gains allowance to such an extent that I expect to be unable to defuse all of my Capital Gains each year. This will limit the amount I can Bed & ISA and I expect the GIA balance to start increasing compounding the issue. To be honest I don't think this will be an unusual position to be in as you will not require an unfeasible balance in a GIA to pay CGT on "gains" solely due to inflation. My current plan is to allow the above to happen by only utilising my annual CGT allowance and not paying CGT while I am working. My question is how CGT is charged in early retirement. Lets say I stop working at 55 and don't take my pension until 57 (earliest I can). I will have no income for two years so my Personal Allowance will be unused. In this case can I make £15,570 of gains in the year before CGT? Searching online I can only find information on Basic and Higher Rate GGT and not Nil Rate. Thanks, Simon 38:43  Question 7 Hi, Love the podcast. I have some questions about pension contribution limits and tax relief. My taxable employment income for 2024/2025 is around £30k. I already contribute to a workplace pension via salary sacrifice. The total amount paid in by my employer is £12k. I am using my full ISA allowance but still have savings and investments in a GIA, not sheltered from tax and would like to pay a lump sum into a SIPP before the end of the tax year. My questions are: What's the maximum I can pay in? Is it £30k or do I have to subtract my employer workplace contributions, so only 18k? I keep finding conflicting information online! If it's 30k, does this mean I actually pay in 24k? If it's 30k, would I receive government top up on all of it, even though I didn't pay tax on the first £12,570? Does the contribution to a SIPP actually reduce my taxable income? So if I contribute the full £30k (assuming I can) is my personal allowance then unused by employment? I have savings and investments income of around £10k from my GIA. Would this then fall inside my personal allowance and no tax be due? Thanks for any help you can offer. I'm so confused with all the information online! Thanks so much for the podcast - keep up the good work. Alison  

In this episode we answer questions about RSU’s, the Cashflow Ladder, Pension vs LISA and a whole lot more! Shownotes: https://meaningfulmoney.tv/QA6  01:42  Question 1 Hello Pete and Roger. Recently discovered this and am listening to every single episode. Brilliant. I've read a fair amount about the % balance of Equities, Bonds/Gilts and Cash I should have in my retirement pot, based on my age (61). Somewhere in the 40%s for Equities, perhaps. What I am not finding advice on is whether I should include my DB pension in this equation and, if so, how? Do I consider it to be cash? And if so do I use the transfer value or use the predicted annual pension pay-out in some kind of calculation?  Thanks for any clues! Best wishes, Phil 11:14  Question 2 I enjoy listening to your podcasts whilst running and I read your book, recommended to me by a financial advisor friend. I’m 37, and early next year I am likely to get around £220k from some shares I hold in the company I work at. If capital gains tax rises, I guess I’ll see, at best, £150k. Any advice on the best place to keep it / invest it for up to 5 years? We plan to then use it to relocate abroad and perhaps set up a lifestyle business such as a B&B. I read about setting up a 'dividend-paying company' which could be useful as it’s often accepted as ‘passive income’ when moving to another country (potentially Portugal or Cyprus). This holding company could pay out whilst growing the savings through managed investing. Is this a potential option for my money? Many thanks, Faye. 19:14  Question 3 Your recent podcast on Helpful Basics: Self-employment and Side Hustles got me thinking about retirement saving vehicles. Specifically, what is the best investment vehicle for a self-employed basic rate taxpayer; a pension or a stocks & shares LISA for retirement purposes? Personally, I am 44 years old and started a LISA from its inception. I am a homeowner. Is it best to maximise LISA contributions until I am 50 years old, then focus on pension contributions? I have a pension pot of £250k which I am minimally contributing to, preferring to prioritise LISA (and ISA) contributions. I like the idea of the 25% bonus on contributions and tax-free withdrawals, which should complement future pension withdrawals from the pension pot in a tax efficient manner. Any guidance would be greatly appreciated. Best wishes, Adam 23:06  Question 4 Where someone has had a number of jobs over their career then consolidating multiple DC pension pots can seem attractive (to reduce admin and costs etc). However, what sort of benefits/ guarantees can be lost by transferring pensions, in particular are there specific things to be aware of with regard to older stakeholder / with profits pensions? It would be handy to know what to look for and what sensible questions to ask when talking to existing pension providers. Thank you G Locke 32:05  Question 5 Hi Pete and Roger, Loving your podcasts, great content as always. A question to do with retirement cashflow forecast planning. I have been reading an article by an American financial planner named Ty Bernicke. In his article, he asserts that retirees voluntarily spend less as they get older, referencing statistics from US government departments. Is there any equivalent recent research in the UK? Should I use his approach and figures when attempting my own forecast? With very best wishes and thanks again, James Cotterill 37:40  Question 6 Hi both,  Stumbled across your podcast recently and have been binging on the episodes ever since. Very insightful information for an early 30 something year old trying to make better financial decisions, so thank you! My questions is: You often talk about paying off credit card debt before investing, but what if the credit card debt is not excessive and can be managed? What are your thoughts on paying off small amounts off your credit card monthly but also investing monthly, especially if returns on investing is potentially greater than the interest on the debt? Thank you Nathaniel

Dive into the world of budgeting and learn why it's a crucial skill for financial success. Discover the importance of proactive budgeting and how to handle unexpected expenses with an emergency fund. Master the two-account system to better manage your bills and discretionary spending. Plus, listen for strategies on tracking expenses and avoiding impulsive purchases. Finally, gain insights on transforming money management into a stress-free aspect of life, thanks to listener engagement and new resources.

Rob Dix, co-host of the Property Podcast and author of 'The Price of Money' and 'Seven Myths About Money', dives into the misconceptions surrounding personal finance. He challenges the notion of homeownership as a default goal, arguing for a more nuanced approach to financial success. Dix emphasizes the importance of diversification and warns of a future with slower investment returns. He advocates for a personalized strategy in money management, addressing the current shifts in interest rates and their impact on borrowing and investment.

We’re back with another Q&A show, with a bit of a DB Pension tilt this time, though we even get into a question on equity release. We cover lots of ground, as always - hope it’s useful! Shownotes: https://meaningfulmoney.tv/QA5  00:55  As you made a request for questions I thought I'd pose this (apologies in advance for the length, feel free to trim as required): I am single, mid-forties, with no dependents (I do have some family I plan to pass wealth on to, but when they need it rather than leaving it in my estate). I'm aiming for the mystical die with zero. As a home owner, and given I'm not worried about passing it on, would it be a good idea to start drawing on the capital locked up in my home via drawdown equity release (using say home reversion) before the investments in my pension and ISAs given this is the most illiquid and concentrated of my assets? Downsizing isn't really an option to release capital (it's a two-bed semi so property doesn't get much smaller). That said equity release looks to offer rates well below the market value (apparently they want to make a profit), certainly if you're on the younger end of the eligibility spectrum. It's far from the case of selling 50% of the house and getting that amount, even spread over a number of years. I could sell the house myself and rent instead, using the released money to pay the rent (and if the money is invested, provided my rent doesn't rise egregiously, it might even stay ahead of that cost). Though there are potential issues with that approach, certainly over the long term. Are there any other ways to unlock the capital tied up in my property? Regards, Lee   10:20  Hello Pete and Roger. I work in public sector and have a decent DB pension, larger part being final salary and lesser part CARE. I will be able to commute up to 25% with a commutation factor of about 24:1. Which will give me about £180,000 depending on when I leave. Upon retirement I will seek to move most into a 100% equities investment wrapper, I’m fairly happy with proportionate risk, as my DB pension will provide a life long index linked safety net, and I will also build a bit of cash ladder of declining risk. I have recently watched your ISA v Pension comparison with keen interest. It was fascinating to see that even though a pension is taxed, the tax relief going in, offset the tax going out, and the option of having both works particularly well in terms of tax efficiency and retirement planning. I had been putting a modest amount into a S&S ISA each month for the last few years, but recently opened a SIPP and am now sending the spare cash that way for the extra tax relief. It’s very satisfying seeing the “free money” coming in each month.. I can potentially retire in 2 years at 55 with an actuarial reduction or continue working until 60, or retire sometime in between. I also have a preserved DB pension that I can take at 60 from a previous employer. In the mean time I want to keep saving and investing, and will try to ramp it up for next few years. My question is – It was pretty clear from your numbers that those with a DC pot are best with both ISA & SIPP in terms of tax efficiency and flexibility, but given that my DB pension will use up all my personal tax allowance, does that swing the momentum on where to invest back in favour of an ISA over a SIPP, as other than the 25% tax free element, I would pay basic rate tax on all my SIPP drawdown.  I’m sure other people with either a modest DB pension or secondary passive income could find themselves in similar quandary.  ( I’m aware all could change after the next budget. )   I live up north, houses are cheap as chips, therefore IHT unlikely to be a major concern in terms of decedents. Chris   16:47  Loving the sultry combination of the north and south tones! I’ve been listening to the podcast for several years now, and you’ve given me loads of practical tips that I’ve been able to take forward. However, I’ve recently received an ADHD diagnosis, and while I earn a good salary, my impulsivity often leads to overspending, and I’m finding it difficult to maintain control over my finances. I have a monthly planner that I check regularly with the bills, so they are ok, but on spending it is always difficult, and I often dip into credit card usage. I would really appreciate any advice or practical tips you could offer for someone like me, who struggles with impulsive spending with a disability. Things like “just don’t spend money” just don’t work! Are there any specific strategies, tools, or approaches that can help someone with neurodiversity, particularly ADHD, to manage their money more effectively? Thanks again for the amazing content you put out. Looking forward to any guidance you can provide. Best regards, Ian   22:53  My question / suggestion relates to listeners with Defined Benefit (DB) pensions. Although they’re becoming rarer, there is still a sizeable minority of people who have DB pensions. I suspect the majority of them are (or have previously been) employees in the public sector – but they’ll run to quite a high number. For instance, there are 1.5 million current employees in the NHS, half-a-million Civil Servants, half-a-million teachers, Police, Fire Fighters etc etc. Double that to allow for all the former employees, plus those with DB pensions in the private sector, and you’re talking decent numbers. I’ve learned a lot over recent years from your Podcast, but there have been a number of occasions where you’ve alluded to the fact that financial planning advice might differ for folk with DB pensions. One example might be the topic of opening a separate SIPP (in addition to the DB pension) to supplement retirement income (or to fund early retirement) or to move money outside the person’s estate. Another example might be the balance of ISA versus Pension: with some DB schemes, the benefit of “topping-up” is reduced compared with those in DC pensions. In many cases the employer isn’t adding “free money” to your pot, so for many there may be more reason to lean towards ISA contributions. Another difference might be the topic of investment risk – if someone with a DB pension has a guaranteed inflation-proof income in retirement, might they be wise to consider higher risk investments? And certainly without the dreaded “profiling”. Another example (as alluded to earlier) might be in Estate Planning: with a DB pensions, there’s no “pot” of invested money lying outside one’s estate, so there’s no IHT advantage. I realise this might amount to more than just a 5-minute topic for your Q&A edition, but I think you’d have enough listers to make a whole episode for DB pension recipients. What to you reckon? Thanks for all the great advice. Best wishes, Dr Pete   29:43  Thank you for all of your support over the years through the podcast and YouTube. I work for the NHS which is very tough at the moment but it does give me the benefit of a defined benefit pension when I get there. I am 35 years old but am wanting to make sure I am saving enough for retirement but also to make sure that I have enough for my children to support them through university and starting life! My wife is a fantastic stay at home Mum. We are aiming to have the “comfy” level of retirement at £58000 that you have previously mentioned which should give us some capacity to support the children! I earn £58000 plus about £7000 as a side hustle. I save into my NHS pension, save about 50% of the side hustle income into a SIPP, and save around £400 into a S&S ISA and £200 into cash savings each month. There are lots of examples about how much you should save but I haven't found anything when you are part of the NHS/other DB pension. Am I saving enough, or too much? I don't want to miss out on life now by over saving! Thanks, Alex   36:13  Enjoying listening to another excellent podcast where I heard the shout out for questions. One I had is “what’s the best tax efficient way to save for kids futures? I started going down the path of saving into JISA’s, but then didn’t like the idea of being unable to access the money on their behalf, or them to do so before 18. I contribute to premium bonds, but theoretically that will be capped at £50k (here’s hoping!). Any other obvious good suggestions?” Thanks & keep it up, continue to love the show. Cheers, Chris