You don't need a job for pensions (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

You don't need a job for pensions

FEWER than three out of ten people in the south west are part of a pension scheme, says HSBC.

The leaders in holding a personal, stakeholder or company pension are East Anglians at 44 per cent.

The survey also found almost half the UK mistakenly thinks you can only pay into a scheme if you are working. HSBC's head of life and pensions Harpal Karlcut said: "When stakeholder pensions were introduced, pensions became available for the first time to people taking a career break.

"Even people not working or who have no income get tax relief on stakeholder pension contributions of up to £3,600 a year, whether paid by them, their working spouse or anyone else. It means the Inland Revenue will add £28 to every £100 invested."