Pensions left right and centre - what's the best approach?

[TheGoddessBlossom]

I've got a Pru one i don't pay into anymore, one from a company i don't work for anymore worth loads, one from a company i don't work for any nore with barely anything in, and now a new one with my new job. How on earth do i manage them all and ensure i reap the benefits of all of them when the time comes? Can i pay someone to sort this all out for me?

could you look into transferring the two ones that you are not contributing to, to your new one. You would need to check out the transfer values though to see if you would lose out or not. I suspect not with the one with not a lot in. It also depends on what sort of pensions they are - final salary or whatever.. as guaranteed payments in your twilight years may eventually be worth more to you than a pension dependant on the stock market. You prob need to seek proper advice

My DH who works in pensions says that you should request transfer values for the deferred/paid up ones and see whether it is worthwhile transferring them into your new scheme but it is worth noting that a lot of these companies quote the value of your fund is X but the transfer value is Y and the difference between the two are their charges to transfer and quite often they don't volunteer this unless you specifically ask them.

It could be worth seeing a financial advisor but you should make sure it is an independant one and not tied.

thanks!