u/Dear_Biscotti_5153

43F, married, 2 kids (9 & 11)

Income & savings:

• £125k total comp
• £500/month into company sharesave (I treat this as low-risk savings)
• ~£1k/month additional savings
• 6% pension contribution (+1% employer match)

Assets:

• House ~£500k, £125k mortgage remaining (19 years, £1,050/month)
• SIPP: £300k (low-cost global tracker funds)
• £25k cash (easy access savings)

Husband:

• 42, part-time income ~£27k
• Minimal pension (this is a concern)

Expenses:

• £500/month car via salary sacrifice
• Fairly high spend on kids’ activities
• Otherwise fairly controlled spending

Goals / thoughts:

• My job is stressful and in a volatile industry — aiming to stick it out ~10 more years, then move to something lower stress
• Not planning early retirement before pension access, but conscious things can change
• Mortgage should be paid off around retirement

Questions / concerns:

1. Should I prioritise building a S&S ISA as a bridge before pension access, or continue maximising pension contributions for tax efficiency?
2. How worried should I be about my husband’s low pension, and is contributing to his pension worth the upfront tax inefficiency?
3. Does targeting ~£50k/year income in retirement from one main pension pot seem reasonable / tax efficient?
4. Anything obvious I’m missing or getting wrong?

Not looking for a luxury retirement - just stability, a few holidays a year, and being able to support the kids if needed.

Appreciate any thoughts.