Subscribe
Sign up for timely perspectives delivered to your inbox.
Ji talks about how she looked after her different types of work pension as she transitioned from working for an employer to being self-employed. Ji also provides a top tip for younger people starting out in the working world. Produced in partnership with Steps to Investing.
Hi, I’m Ji. I’m 33 and I’m from London. I’m self-employed and I run my own consultancy business.
My first pension was with my employer. On my first job I made the minimum contribution, but with each salary increase, I increased my percentage and the company that I worked for matched what I put in.
Since becoming self-employed, I have become more aware of contributing to my pension and I make my own investment choices through my Self Invested Personal Pension (SIPP). I make a regular contribution through a direct debit. And because I’m self-employed, with every dividend draw every quarter, I’ll make a lump sum deposit as well.
I have thought about my retirement, although it feels like a long way off. I don’t ever see myself not working, because it’s something that I’ve built and something of that is a passion project. I’d imagine I’d maybe work less or start winding down and I’d like some more time for leisure and travel.
Now I’m a little bit older and I’m not a grad anymore, I’m in a slightly more financially comfortable position to not have to compromise on lifestyle. I think my priorities have definitely changed. And with the pandemic, I guess my spending habits have changed as well. And therefore, during this time I’ve definitely considered, while I have the freedom and the luxury, to contribute more to my pension. For me, there is a tradeoff. It is a balance between long-term and short-term goals, but that’s a decision that feels right for me.
For younger people just starting out, I would recommend that you make small and regular contributions, because it can really snowball later. My regret, I guess, would be that I didn’t max out my pension while I was still employed, because my employer used to be match my pension contribution, which is another way to increase your salary and it’s basically free money.