serps

[liverboys]

About ten years ago I took out a personal pension and was advised to opt out of the state earnings related pension scheme. I did so, but after having more children I gave up work and froze my pension. At the minute my husband is earning just about enough to keep the family, and our children are thriving on having me at home. My question is - should I be paying into serps again or who should I look to for advice? I am terrified that I will end up with no pension at all, and the company I took my pension out with are anything but helpful. TIA

[Ethel]

Your basic state pension is currently protected by Home Responsibilities Protection - for stay at home parents like yourself, as long as you receive child benefit: So you will not end up with no pension.

http://www.thepensionservice.gov.uk/atoz/atozd etailed/homeres.asp

Speak to the pension service - they really are very helpful.