I need to get my shit together don’t I re the future?

[MustTryHarderMaybe]

Been predominantly a SAHM for the past decade (loved it) but have helped with DH’s family business and have done a fair bit of project volunteering too, around the children, whilst helping the in-laws who have now passed on.
I’m absolutely done with having any more babies, and it’s dawned on me what the hell am I going to do when the youngest starts preschool in 2 years? I’ll be 40 then and having read so many threads on here warning women as SAHM’s I find myself perhaps in that exact position?
But what do I do now to help me get a decent job then? I’d love to earn at least £30k as that was what I was on 10 years ago before DC. I don’t have a pension either but DH pays my NI as I get a smallish wage to do admin etc for the business. Do I need a pension? Is it too late? I do have a very modest flat I let out which I always thought would be my pension but that’s required work over the years so has a little mortgage that the rent covers.
I’ve experience in property, charity trustee, setting up/running a business, school governor, banking, and helping in childcare settings. The only qualifications I have are some Alevels, childminder certificate, first aid, and did some banking exams to sell basic investments and mortgages years ago so it’s all probably out of date. I’d love to get a degree but is there any point for me?
Wise ones, please help as I’m so lost! I’ve screwed up a bit haven’t I?

Anyone?

Can DH start paying a pension for you ?

And you have been working, youve been doing admin, and I’m sure your CV will reflect that.

Do you need a pension? Yes absolutely, as a matter of priority.
Is it too late? No, not at all?
Do a degree? That's a possibility but that's a huge speculation on future earnings. What would you do a degree in and how would it relate to what you want to do?

So you have lots of skills and are working currently ( even if for husband). So your cv can reflect that. Maybe be prepared to take a lower wage to start with, could you do some volunteer work to start with? Think about what you would like to do and see what skills/learning you need to get to do that job. Also make sure you and your husband have ways of covering child illness that you both agree on ( if only you taking time off ( and it shouldn’t necessarily be only you) then you need to factor that into any flexibility you need from a role)

Gosh I can't imagine not working for 10 years and not wondering about my future - and then suddenly wondering whether I need a pension. How are some people so chilled out?!

There are lots of jobs out there right now OP. Maube don't worry about earning £30k and just go for a job that brings in some money? Surely any amount you bring in will be better than bringing in zero.

You absolutely need a pension and should never rely on property to be your retirement fund. Ideally you should have been paying into a pension the past ten years but it is absolutely not too late to start one now. I’m a SAHM (now looking for a job) and have always continued with my pension since I left work. DH pays into it - can your DH do similar until you find a job? I also filled in the government forms we were given when I had DC to ensure my NI contributions were still paid (I also log-in to make sure they are up to date etc).

Like me, you will probably need to start towards the bottom and work your way up again on the workplace. Have a think about what you are interested in, your skills and experience, whether further study is an interest/option etc. Volunteering can be a good way to get yourself out there and provide recent references for jobs.

I was going to suggest a degree too, I have been in a similar position although I didn’t stop working completely but have worked part time in a supermarket around family life.
I have done my degree with the OU and now I’m in my final year and applying for jobs. I am getting an awful lot of respect from employers for doing my degree from home around life as it takes a lot of dedication.
I picked a subject I was interested in and enjoyed rather than a specific career so I knew I would want to study. I’m now looking at jobs around 26k as a starting point but with good progression opportunities to move up.

how about an Adult Apprenticeship ?

Firstly don't leave a gap on your CV. You have been working for DH business. And you have been volunteering for other things so you're not officially 10years out of the workplace. I had no pension until last year either as self employed. I've just set up a basic one with nest. I'm sure others will come along with better ones but it was easy and quick.
Depends what you want to do but you say you have a child minding qual. Think I'd potentially look into that as it fits around your own kids more.

If you’ve worked for DH in an official capacity and your NI has been paid, surely he should have been paying into a pension as part of your employment too? I’d rectify that quick smart!

Your problem is going to be references: figure out who among your volunteering contacts can be a reference for you.

I had 8 years as a SAHM. I couldn't conceive of going back to my old salary right away, I started at bottom & worked my way back up. I think you'll also have to be willing to take a bit of a salary reduction to start, working for others.

What does "experience in property" mean?

I think you will find life as an employee quite dull after doing your own thing for 30 years.
Could you start your own small business?

Contact the national careers service, and look at boosting your skills with on line courses - digital / Microsoft courses. Loads available for free.
Get on linkedin.

What do you actually want to do? I disagree with a PP who said you should take any old job just to bring in some money. You'll get bored quickly.

Figure out what industry you'd like to be in in five years' time, or what role, and then work backwards - acquire the qualifications you'll need to get there.

As PP said, I wouldn't worry so much about wage per se, but would look at possible progression. It's fine to start at 25k if you know you'll gradually progress to 40k.
Sounds like you have a few skills that would help when looking for a job.so hopefully you'll find something.
But yes, you absolutely need a pension.

This^

Look at Council /civil service. £30 k isn’t an unobtainable starting salary but you won’t be able to be that choosy with regards to what you do. I’d probably think £25k to start.
You’ve been employed by your husband, so extrapolate on that, don’t say you haven’t worked in ten years.

surprised by your relaxed attitude towards lack of pension-for 10 years! In my job that would be worth at least £120k in pension.
I think it’s vital to know you can be self sufficient. I’d get your cv updated and maybe speak to some recruiters, start looking at job sites. You can’t expect to walk back into same salary, so set expectation lower

Get an admin job in the civil service/probation/MOJ starting wage will be closer to 20k than 30 but you'll have twenty years to pay into a civil service pension, flexibility around work and generous annual leave allowance. It's also very common to work your way up. Make sure you put down your admin job working for your husband (it doesn't need to say that's who your boss is) and look at civil service recruitment success profiles and behaviours for recruitment tips.

Civil service pension is defined benefit, you can get out in twenty years what it would take double that to achieve in some private pension schemes

Try civil service jobs, they often offer progression.

Get a job, any job to start the transition back to work. Not retail as retail leads to retail. In 12 months move on. Look for big companies or public sector. I'm thinking about being in one pension scheme now and forever as it can be very difficult to port pensions.

For some reason mortgage advisor is sticking out to me. Might have to fork out some money for up to date qualifications but once done can either be self employed or join a firm which can vary from super small independent ones to big nation wide chains.

What was your job before and what are you interested in doing?

You most definitely need a pension and likely you will need to pay a greater rate in.

Direct civil service positions have a very good pension rate 26-27% and wide range of positions. Your unlikely to go in at 30k on most jobs but if it's a big enough company or dept you can make lateral moves up every year sometimes on internal positions

A degree is not a bad idea if you haven't had loans before and are eligible, as it will get you a qualification, press the restart button on your cv so you are no longer a returner but a graduate, and if you need it boost your confidence in your ability. How would you find studying alongside current childcare? How much can dp flex to support? Distance learning or a good local uni? Are you self motivated enough and able to manage the extra stress and workload? I would only choose a degree leading to a definite job role and one I was reasonably passionate about. Good age to do it too, moving forward for you in your forties.