Pensions

Always take professional advice on your pension position.
Is early retirement an option?

Always ensure that you have a record of your pension scheme details when you leave.

Visit your Job Centre and sign on as soon as you leave. This will ensure National Insurance contributions are credited to your account to protect your future state pension even if you do not wish to claim the Jobseeker's Allowance.

People in final-salary pensions should almost certainly leave their pension in the company scheme when they leave. The benefits eg a widow's pension are often worth preserving.

It is a more difficult decision if you have a money-purchase company pensions scheme. It may be worthwhile pulling together all your pensions into a single scheme offered by a new employer. Given the complexities involved it is important to have your pension valued by an actuary and ensure that you receive advice from a qualified independent financial advisor (not all are).