When I was made redundant 18yrs ago I was advised not to put into a private pension (the frozen one I had wouldn't even let me), they were performing so badly. I was told to put money aside into an isa,which I've done ever since. I don't trust "advisors" whatsoever, they're all in it for themselves so have carried on down this line. Fairly sure I could have done better but going back to the op, the important thing is to at least set aside some money (and at 40,as much as you can afford each month). Everything investment wise comes with a risk, at least my savings are relatively safe and I have full control over them and 100‰ of it will be passed onto to family in the event of my demise.of course the bad side is that although isa rates are improving, they're way behind inflation. I'm not advocating what I've done is the right way to go, but definitely a good start even if it's temporary and you use the money later on in a different way. I've come across so many people who have been massively dissapointed with their pensions and wish they'd gone down a different route. It's a minefield really, but whatever you do, don't do nothing.
