What's the wisest advice you can give to a 35-year old who has yet to sort out a pension?

[Tinkerdumpsandruns]

Thank you.

Do it now.

Find a product without too many frills and with low charges.

And put as much money in as you can.

Marry someone who has.

start playing the lottery?

La la la la la la i'm not listening

If you own a big house, slightly get to the idea about downsizing at some point of the future and not leaving anything to the offspring?

get a pension

It's not me btw

Am worried about risks of pensions - Standard Life thing (it was them wasn't it??) Are they really quite safe?

Pensions are as safe as any form of investment (except leaving your money in cash), they are also the most tax efficient form of investment there is - at its most simple, your contributions are paid in gross of tax.

Generally speaking, if your employer offers any kind of pension arrangement to which they contribute, you should generally opt in.

I think the problems you are referring to were with Equitable Life and related to a very specific form of policy.

The longer someone leaves starting pensions saving, the less time their money has to generate any returns for them.

That said, there are other less tax efficient forms of investment which can generate higher returns (eg property speculation).

Your friend should talk to an Indepedent Financial Adviser who can look at their individual circumstances and work out what their attitude to risk is etc and advise what is appropriate for them.

Thanks GL - Equitable Life, of course.

I don't have one but I am planning on developing a property in the near future and will invest whatever return I get on that either into property in the form of buy to let or a decent portfolio. I am self employed and work in the area of property so it is an attractive option to me but may not suit others.