Retirement, planned properly.
Whether it’s decades away or suddenly rather close, we’ll help you work out what the retirement you want will cost, what you’ve already built up, and how to close the gap — in plain English.
Most of us dream about retirement. Fewer of us plan for it.
People spend years at work imagining life after it — and surprisingly few put a plan in place to pay for the life they’re imagining. That’s the job.
We start with the retirement you actually want: the lifestyle you have in mind and what it will realistically cost. From there we can show you how much needs to be saved between now and then, and put an investment strategy behind it that fits how far away retirement is and how you feel about risk.
If you’ve picked up pensions along the way — an old workplace scheme here, a personal pension there — we’ll make sense of the lot: what each pot is worth, what it’s costing you, and whether it’s pulling its weight. Because we’re independent, our advice draws on the whole market rather than a shortlist of providers.
And when retirement arrives, the decisions change: whether to take a tax-free lump sum, how to turn a pot into an income, and how annuity rates compare with keeping your money invested. We’ll set out the options clearly so the decision is genuinely yours.
The value of investments and any income from them can fall as well as rise, and you may get back less than you invested. Tax treatment depends on individual circumstances and may be subject to change.
Your first conversation is free, and there’s no obligation. See how it works
Should you combine your old pensions?
It’s the question we’re asked most — and the honest answer is: it depends what’s inside each pot.
| Keeping pots where they are | Reviewing & consolidating | |
|---|---|---|
| Keeping track | Several providers, statements and logins to follow | One pot, one statement, one plan to keep an eye on |
| Charges | Each pot keeps its own charges — some older plans are good value, others aren’t | A single set of charges, which may be higher or lower than what you pay now |
| Guarantees & benefits | Any valuable guarantees — such as protected tax-free cash or guaranteed annuity rates — stay intact | Valuable guarantees can be lost for good on transfer, which is why we check every pot first |
| Usually suits | Pots with valuable benefits, or plans that already fit your retirement plan | People juggling several ordinary pots who want one clear, manageable plan |
There’s no one right answer — and consolidating is not always the right one. The advice depends on what’s actually inside each pot, which is exactly what we check before recommending anything.
How it goes from here
No forms to fill in before we’ve even spoken. It starts with a conversation.
A proper chat
Where you are now, the retirement you have in mind, and every pension you’ve collected along the way.
Research
We dig into your existing pots and search the whole market for what genuinely fits your plan.
A clear recommendation
A written recommendation in plain English — what we’d do, and exactly why.
Pension questions we hear every week
What does pension advice cost?
Your first conversation is free and there’s no obligation. We only charge a fee for our services on completion, and we’ll always tell you what it is before you commit to anything.
I’ve collected several pensions from old jobs. Can you help?
Yes — it’s one of the most common reasons people come to us. We’ll find out what each pot is worth, what it’s costing you and how it’s invested, then explain your options in plain English. Sometimes that means bringing pots together; often it means leaving some exactly where they are.
Should I combine my old pensions into one?
Not necessarily — consolidating suits some people and not others. Some older pensions carry valuable guarantees or benefits that are lost for good if you transfer out, so we always check what’s inside each pot before recommending anything. If staying put is the better answer, that’s the advice you’ll get.
How much do I need to save for retirement?
It depends entirely on the retirement you have in mind — which is where we start. We work out with you what the lifestyle you want will cost, look at what you’ve already built up, and show you what needs to be saved between now and then.
Can I take a tax-free lump sum from my pension?
Usually, yes — most pensions let you take part of your pot as a tax-free lump sum once you can access it. Whether that’s the right move, or whether a larger ongoing income would serve you better, depends on your circumstances — we’ll walk you through both. Tax treatment depends on individual circumstances and may be subject to change.
Do I have to come into the office?
No — we advise face to face at 9 King Street, by phone or by video call, whichever suits you. Plenty of clients like to sit down with their adviser at least once, but it’s entirely up to you.
The best time to plan your retirement is over a cup of tea.
Tell us roughly where you’re up to — even if the honest answer is “a drawer full of pension statements” — and we’ll come back to you within one working day. No hard sell, no obligation, no jargon.