Pensions & Retirement Planning

Give retirement a practical shape

Retirement planning starts with how you want to spend your time and what that life may cost. Essential bills, discretionary spending and occasional larger expenses need to be considered alongside the possibility of a long retirement.

We help bring together information about workplace and personal pensions, your State Pension forecast and other resources. Understanding what you already have is the foundation for deciding what to do next.

Build towards your intended retirement

Your contributions, investment approach and remaining time before retirement can all affect your options. A review can help identify gaps between the resources you expect and the spending you hope to support.

Pension rules and tax treatment depend on individual circumstances and can change. We explain relevant considerations at the time of advice rather than assuming that today's allowances or access rules will remain the same.

Understand the choices for taking income

Different pensions offer different benefits and access options. For defined contribution pensions, choices can include keeping money invested and drawing income, buying a guaranteed income or using a combination where suitable.

Flexibility comes with responsibilities: withdrawals, investment losses and charges can reduce the money available later. We consider the balance between dependable income, access to capital and the ability to manage uncertainty.

Prepare for a useful conversation

• Recent statements and details of all your pensions
• Your State Pension forecast and intended retirement date
• Household expenditure and expected changes after work
• Other savings, investments, property and debts
• Information about valuable pension guarantees or benefits

We explain the options within our advice scope and where specialist input is required. A retirement plan should remain understandable as your working life and priorities evolve.