0800 193 8767
contact@pensionadvicelondon.com

Financially Prepare For Retirement

Retirement planning is a crucial aspect of personal finance that ensures financial security and stability in your later years. It involves a combination of wealth management strategies. We can support you with everything from pensions, ISAs and bonds to estate planning, tax planning and much more.

We’ve explored some of our most popular services below, however we can also assist you with inheritance tax planning (IHT) and managing your lifetime allowance as well as protection solutions too.

The value of pensions and investments and the income they produce can fall as well as rise. You may get back less than you invested.

Wealth Management in Retirement Planning

Wealth management is the process of managing an individual’s financial assets and investments to meet their financial goals. In the context of retirement planning, it involves strategies to grow and preserve wealth, ensuring a steady income stream during retirement. Key aspects of wealth management include:

  1. Asset Allocation: Diversifying your investment portfolio across various asset classes such as stocks, bonds, and real estate to balance risk and return.
  2. Risk Management: Identifying and mitigating financial risks through insurance, hedging, and other strategies.
  3. Tax Planning: Structuring investments and withdrawals to minimize tax liabilities.
  4. Estate Planning: Planning for the distribution of your assets after death, ensuring your beneficiaries are taken care of and minimizing estate taxes.
Talk To An Adviser

If you would like to talk to an adviser, please leave your details below and we’ll be back in touch soon.

Our initial retirement planning advice is provided free of charge. Fees are charged if any service is required to be carried out. When fees need to be charged we would detail these in advance and receive your authorisation to proceed.

Our financial advisers operate across London, Kent, Essex and Surrey and can meet you face to face, remotely over Teams/ Zoom or provide telephone-based consultations.

Tax treatment varies according to individual circumstances and is subject to change.

Free Initial Pension Check

    Enquire below to receive free initial pension advice for a qualified financial planner.

    I have read and accept the Privacy Policy (required)

    All information provided is confidential and managed securely.

    Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs)

    ISAs are tax-efficient savings and investment accounts available in the UK. They are a popular tool for retirement planning due to their tax benefits.

    1. Types of ISAs: There are several types of ISAs, including Cash ISAs, Stocks & Shares ISAs and Lifetime ISAs. Each type has its own features and benefits.
    2. Tax Benefits: Contributions to ISAs can be from savings or income which you may paid tax on, but the interest, dividends, and capital gains earned within an ISA are tax-free. Please note the ISA manager may have unrecoverable tax on income from stocks and shares within the fund.
    3. Contribution Limits: The annual contribution limit for ISAs is £20,000 for the 2024/25 tax year. Lifetime ISAs have an annual limit of £4,000, which counts towards the overall ISA limit.
    4. Withdrawal Rules: Withdrawals from ISAs are generally tax-free. However, there are penalties for withdrawing from Lifetime ISAs before the age of 60 unless used for purchasing a first home or in cases of terminal illness.

    You will incur a lifetime ISA government withdrawal charge (currently 25%) if you transfer the funds to a different ISA or withdraw the funds before age 60 and you may therefore get back less than you paid into a lifetime ISA.

    By saving in a lifetime ISA instead of enrolling in, or contributing to an auto-enrolment pension scheme, occupational pension scheme, or personal pension scheme:
    (i) you may lose the benefit of contributions from your employer (if any) to that scheme; and
    (ii) your current and future entitlement to means tested benefits (if any) may be affected.

    Bonds

    Bonds are fixed-income securities that pay interest over a specified period and return the principal at maturity. They are considered lower risk compared to stocks and are an essential component of a retirement portfolio.

    1. Types of Bonds: Bonds can be classified into government bonds (gilts), corporate bonds, and municipal bonds. Government bonds are generally safer, while corporate bonds offer higher yields.
    2. Risk and Return: Bonds provide regular income through interest payments, which can be particularly useful for retirees. The risk of bonds varies; government bonds are low-risk, while corporate bonds carry higher risk.
    3. Inflation Protection: Inflation-linked bonds adjust their interest payments based on inflation rates, providing a hedge against inflation.
    4. Diversification: Including bonds in your portfolio can reduce volatility and provide a stable income stream, balancing the higher risk of stocks.

    Pensions

    Pensions are long-term savings plans designed to provide income in retirement. They offer significant tax advantages and are a cornerstone of retirement planning.

    1. Types of Pensions: There are two main types of pensions – defined benefit (DB) schemes and defined contribution (DC) schemes. DB schemes provide a guaranteed income in retirement, while DC schemes depend on the performance of the invested contributions.
    2. Tax Relief: Contributions to pensions receive tax relief, meaning the government adds money to your pension based on your income tax rate. Higher and additional rate taxpayers can claim extra tax relief through their tax return.
    3. Employer Contributions: Many employers offer workplace pension schemes with employer contributions, which can significantly boost your retirement savings.
    4. Accessing Pension Funds: You can usually start withdrawing from your pension at age 55 (57 from 2028), taking 25% as a tax-free lump sum and the rest as taxable income through various options such as annuities or drawdown plans.
    5. Pension Consolidation: Combining multiple pension pots can simplify management and potentially reduce fees, but it’s important to understand the implications.

    Plan, Manage & Retire With Confidence

    A qualified adviser will help you financially plan for retirement, manage your pensions and investments in line with your expectations, track the growth and any changes so you can retire with confidence.
    Free Initial Retirement Advice

    Holistic Retirement Planning

    1. Setting Retirement Goals: Determine how much income you will need in retirement to maintain your desired lifestyle. Consider factors such as living expenses, healthcare costs, travel, and hobbies.
    2. Creating a Retirement Budget: Estimate your expected income from pensions, ISAs, bonds, and other sources. Create a budget to ensure your expenses are covered and adjust your savings and investments accordingly.
    3. Regular Reviews: Regularly review your retirement plan to ensure it remains on track. Adjust your investment strategy and contributions based on changes in your circumstances, market conditions, and tax laws.
    4. Emergency Fund: Maintain an emergency fund to cover unexpected expenses. This should be separate from your retirement savings to avoid dipping into your retirement funds prematurely.
    5. Debt Management: Aim to pay off debts before retiring to reduce financial stress and increase disposable income during retirement.

    Practical Steps to Implement Your Retirement Plan

    1. Start Early: The earlier you start saving for retirement, the more time your money has to grow. Take advantage of compound interest by starting your pension contributions as early as possible.
    2. Maximize Contributions: Contribute as much as you can afford to your pensions and ISAs, taking full advantage of tax relief and employer contributions.
    3. Diversify Investments: Spread your investments across different asset classes to manage risk and optimize returns. Balance higher-risk investments with safer options like bonds.
    4. Seek Professional Advice: Consider consulting a financial advisor to create a tailored retirement plan. They can provide valuable insights and help you navigate complex financial decisions.
    5. Stay Informed: Keep up to date with changes in pension regulations, tax laws, and market trends. This knowledge will help you make informed decisions and adjust your plan as needed.