Image
Wealth Planning -
Take control of your retirement
Whether retirement will see you bungee jumping in South Africa, or trampoline jumping with the grandkids, taking time to plan now, gives your dreams the chance of becoming reality.
What does your dream retirement look like? What kind of lifestyle do you imagine? Maybe you’re planning to travel more, or perhaps you’re thinking of going back to school. Maybe that passion for photography could become a new business, or perhaps you’re simply looking forward to taking a break and enjoy spending more precious time with those you love. Whether retirement will see you bungee jumping in South Africa, or trampoline jumping with the grandkids, taking time to build a robust wealth plan now gives your dreams the chance of becoming reality.
There are so many “what if’s” and unknowns to take into consideration that retirement planning can feel daunting. What kind of retirement lifestyle can you actually expect? What if I want to (or need) retire early? What if I or my partner needs care in older age? What if my children or grandchildren need financial support? What if I want to buy a Jaguar E Type? What if my investments fall?
2020 has only added to these concerns, so what can you do to feel more in control?
Understanding what you want to achieve is the first step. Is the key goal to maintain your lifestyle in retirement, or do you have different priorities? By looking at your cash flow today and modelling a range of anticipated cash flow scenarios in retirement, you can immediately visualise your future financial position. Through building in key personal milestones such as a change in lifestyle, travel, downsizing, buying that car, or selling a business, you can build a clearer of picture of what you’ll need and when.
Depending on how far you are from retirement, you have different options.
More about retirement planning
Image
More than 10 years until retirement
Look at your current later life provisions. How do you intend to use your non pension assets in retirement? How and when do you actually intend to use your pensions? Are you planning to stop working before you’re eligible to access your formal pensions? Do you have a personal or company pension? If you’ve worked for a number of companies, you may have several. Have you considered consolidating your pension arrangements? Have you checked how your retirement funds are performing, and if your circumstances and ambitions have changed since you last reviewed them?
If you are earning more than you spend, it’s also worth thinking about what you’re doing with your excess income. Inflation erodes the value of savings over time, meaning your purchasing power in the future is reduced. Of course, everyone needs cash reserves, but could you invest more now, using tax advantages, so that your retirement ambition has a more certain outcome?
Less than 10 years until retirement
If you’re approaching retirement, you probably already have a rough idea of your retirement plan. It’s also likely that you’ve experienced some investment turmoil over the years which may have caused unease and uncertainty. When you have financial plans in place it can be tempting to just stick with your current investment arrangements, whether they are performing or not, or perhaps you have been thinking about making some changes but need guidance and advice. Professional wealth planning advice at this time can help you feel in control of your finances and your future.
If you’re feeling unsure about the state of your investments, or how your finances are arranged, it’s important to find an adviser who can review your circumstances and discuss suitable options in order to address your objectives. As you near retirement, it’s even more important to review your appetite for risk, capacity for loss and complete a financial health check to assess whether you are on track. Often Investors are happier to take fewer risks as retirement approaches, but this is not always the best course of action. Consider that pensions may need to provide you with income for the rest of your life.
Already retired
If you’re already retired, you’ll already be using your assets to fund your lifestyle. It’s certainly worth reviewing how you are using your assets to provide income. At this stage of life, many people’s financial goals change from investing for growth to investing for income. However, as people live longer, retirement is often broken into different stages, allowing you more control over how you structure your finances and access your wealth at a future date to deliver different benefits at different times.
Whatever your future holds, having a plan in place means you can enjoy today knowing tomorrow is under control.
If you would like a book a consultation with one of our qualified and experienced wealth planners to discuss your retirement plans, please get in touch.
This content should be considered a marketing communication for the purposes of the Financial Conduct Authority rules. It has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research, and it is not subject to any prohibition on dealing ahead of the dissemination of investment research. It is for information purposes only and does not constitute advice, a solicitation, recommendation or an offer to buy or sell any security or other investment or banking product or service. You should seek professional advice before making any investment decision. The value of investments and the income from them can fall and rise, and you could get back less than you invest. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. Investment returns may increase or decrease as a result of currency fluctuations. Prevailing tax rates and relief are dependent on individual circumstances and are subject to change.
The contents are based on opinions or conditions as at the date of writing and may change without notice. To the extent permitted by law or regulation, no warranty of accuracy or completeness of this information is given and no liability is accepted for its use or reliance on it.
This content is confidential and may not be reproduced, further distributed, or published without prior consent from Arbuthnot Latham & Co., Limited. The distribution of this document and the offer and sale any investments in certain jurisdictions may be forbidden or restriction by law or regulation. It may not be sent to, taken into the United States, or passed to any US Person.
Arbuthnot Latham & Co., Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. Arbuthnot Latham & Co., Limited DIFC Branch is regulated by the Dubai Financial Services Authority.
Author -
Paul Clifton, FPFS
Chartered Financial Planner, Director – Wealth Planning
Paul is a trusted Wealth Planner, who has built a strong reputation for helping clients identify and achieve their life goals, while maintaining the highest standards of personal service. In addition to helping clients in the West of England and South Wales, he is responsible for developing and managing the regional Wealth Planning team at Arbuthnot Latham.
The aim is to deliver professionalism, experience and honesty. Our bespoke solutions cover wealth/tax structuring, estate planning, retirement planning and financial protection. In addition, we work seamlessly with our colleagues to provide investment management, private and commercial banking services.
Paul has over 20 years of industry experience advising individual and corporate clients. He joined Arbuthnot Latham in July 2020 having previously worked for Hargreaves Lansdown and Chase de Vere. Paul is a Fellow of the Personal Finance Society and a Chartered Financial Planner.