Share Sounds. related to Pensions & Retirement

If you have hopes for an early retirement you might want to check how much you're contributing to your pension each month. New research suggests the minimum contributions may not be enough however there is some good news as even small extra contributions can make a big difference overtime. To talk through the figures Share Radio's Tom Hill spoke to Former Pensions Minister and Director of Policy at Royal London, Steve Webb.

Over the last few weeks there's been a lot of focus on housing and older people, with the government's White Paper on housing looking at ways to encourage older people to downsize. But not everyone wants to sell up. Last year people released over £2 billion of equity from their homes. So, how can you make money from your property? What are the options and what do you have to bear in mind? Sarah Pennells was joined in the studio by Jane King who's from Ashridge financial planning and by Ceri Wheeldon who's the founder of the website Fab After Fifty.

Reports that former BHS boss Sir Philip Green has made a deal with the pensions regulator to rescue the retailer's pension scheme, according to Sky News. How much could cost the billionaire? For more Share Radio's Ed Bowsher was joined by Helen Morrissey, editor of Professional Pensions magazine.

The number of over-55s taking advantage of new freedom to cash in their retirement funds has reached a record high since pension rules were relaxed two years ago. New figures released by the Treasury showed that 162,000 individuals took cash from their pension pots in the last quarter of 2016, up from 158,000 in the previous quarter. Share Radio's James Brydges spoke to Steve Webb, Director of Policy at Royal London

Welcome to the This is Money and Share Radio podcast, brought to you in partnership with NS&I. After a year of doom and gloom stories this week we’re looking at the positives. Despite the Michael Fish style forecasting of the post-Brexit economy the FTSE is surging to unprecedented levels, could this be the time to start investing? For those less keen on the cut and thrust of the stock market a glimmer of hope for savings rates does seem to be on the horizon in 2017 as we look through some of the accounts paying up to 5%. Georgie Frost is joined by Editor Simon Lambert who gives his wish list of headlines for the next year whilst Consumer Affairs Editor Lee Boyce takes centre stage on everything coin related. But just how well will their financial knowledge stack up in our Podcast Quiz of the Year? This is Money is presented by Georgie Frost in partnership with NS&I.

Recently there have been some big changes in pensions policy in the UK and throughout this past year we have seen a continuation of these policies and the beginning of a totally new pensions landscape starting to emerge. To discuss the past year and trends for 2017 Sue Dougan was joined by Malcolm McLean Senior Consultant Barnett Waddingham.

Aviva's latest Real Retirement report reveals that baby-boomers are enthusiastic users of technology but pensions need to catch up. According to the report, the 45-64 year old is very confident when it comes to mobile technology where banking is concerned, but when it comes to pensions there's less confidence. So if this is a generation of tech adopters, what's the problem? Alistair McQueen, Aviva's retirement spokesperson, joined Share Radio to discuss.

Before the pensions freedom came along in 2015, many people using a pensions pot bought an annuity. But since then many providers have stopped selling annuities, or will be fading them out in the future. But what does this mean for you? Joining Sarah in the studio are Alistair McQueen from Aviva, Michael Bousfield from independent financial advice firm Helm Godfrey and David Blake, the Director of the Pensions Institute.

Do you have enough saved for retirement? In many cases especially for those who ought to be closest to the milestone, the answer is no. A new study found over a million people are set to retire on less than £9,500 a year. For more information, Nigel People from the Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association joined Georgie on the line.

Georgie Frost is joined in the studio by Hannah Maundrell editor in chief of money.co.uk. On the agenda today, they discuss the big story of the day, GB Energy Supply customers are being re-assured their money is safe, and they won't be cut off, after the company announced it's gone bust. Elsewhere, high street footfall was up nearly three per cent on Friday compared to last year giving retailers a much-needed boost. Plus, thirty million people could have to work until they are 70 before claiming the state pension. All these stories and more on The News Review.