9 hours ago
I know my public sector pension is great, but I can't afford it
M ohamed Habad has a workplace pension that millions of workers can only dream of. As a foundation doctor at the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow, Essex, he was automatically enrolled in the NHS pension scheme. He was contributing 9.8 per cent of his salary and his employer was paying in an enormous 23.7 per cent.
So why has he opted out of this generous savings scheme — along with many more of his NHS colleagues?
Habad, 28, graduated from medical school last summer but it could be nine years until he completes his training to become an orthopaedic surgeon. He pays £800 a month to rent his room in hospital accommodation, £600 to help his family cover his empty room in their London council flat, about £300 a month on groceries and £200 on gas and electricity.