The Pension Countdown has Begun: Are you on track to a financially secure retirement future?
When you are at the point of retiring, the new pension freedoms have opened up all sorts of alternative strategies to taking your pension benefits. The very concept of retirement is changing.
‘Phased retirement’ is becoming more common. The way we access our pension is now a lot more flexible, and it’s no secret that in the UK we’re living longer than ever before. A longer retirement and more choice over how you take your pension make for an exciting time. And planning ahead will help ensure you’re on track to a financially secure future. Our timeline below will help you get started!
Although retirement can still seem a while away, begin to consider what you want your life to be like when you get there.
TEN YEARS BEFORE YOU PLAN TO RETIRE
Here are some things to think about as you start to build your plan:
- The age you’d like to retire
- How much you’ll likely have in your pension fund(s), and the income you’ll need when you retire
- Any savings, investments or other assets that you could add to your retirement income
- How your living expenses could change in the future
- How you’ll pay for any travel, hobbies or further education once you’ve retired
- An emergency savings fund, to help with any unexpected costs like car or home repairs
- Paying off any debts before you retire
- How you’ll support your dependants once you’ve retired
- Putting money aside to pay for long-term care for you, your partner or other dependants
Don’t forget that your spending habits are likely to change in retirement. For example, your commute costs are likely to be lower, but more time at home may mean your utility bills go up.
FIVE YEARS BEFORE YOU PLAN TO RETIRE
Now is the time to make sure your goalsare on track:
- Determine the best option(s) for taking your pension savings to meet your financial and lifestyle needs
- You’ll also need to apply to your provider(s) if you’re moving pensions from different sources
- Trace any lost pensions through the Pension Tracing Service
- Ask for up-to-date statements for all your pensions. You can also get a forecast of your State Pension at www.gov.uk
- Look over your investments and savings to see if they still meet your attitude to risk as you get closer to retirement
- Think about whether you’d like to take an income from your pension or whether you want a pot of cash, including any tax-free allowance, to do something different in retirement
- Discuss your options with a professional financial adviser
- Write a Will or review your existing Will – and plan what will happen to your pension and estate if you die, plus any tax implications.
SIX MONTHS TO GO
It’s time to give yourself a retirement readiness check-up:
- Review your pension statements to get an accurate picture of what your funds are worth
- Make an appointment with your professional financial adviser for advice on the best retirement options for you
- Determine the best option(s) for taking your pension savings to meet your financial and lifestyle needs
- Tell your pension providers you’re planning to retire, so that they can send you any and all information you need in plenty of time
- Update your beneficiary information
- Set a date for a pre-retirement meeting with your employer
- Let the HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) know you’re retiring because your change of status will affect your tax code
- Budget for changes in your day-to-day spending after you retire
TWELVE TO EIGHT WEEKS BEFORE
It’s down to business now – you’re just outside of your selected retirement date:
- Speak with a professional financial adviser to consider your options and retirement plans
- Ask your provider about the ways you can access your pension based on the options available
- You should receive a letter four months before you reach State Pension Age, telling you how to claim your State Pension. If you haven’t received this by three months before, here’s how to claim this
- Look into any entitlements from the Government over and above any State Pension you may get, as these could make a real difference to your living costs
EIGHT TO TWO WEEKS BEFORE
The final countdown! It’s time to make sure you have all the information you need to help make a decision:
- Consider any retirement quotes that your provider may have sent you
- Remember, if you want to use your pension to provide an income, you should shop around the different providers to get the best income you can. If you and/or your partner have a health and/or lifestyle condition, then you could get an even higher income as different providers also cover different conditions
- You’ll also need to apply to your provider/s if you’re moving pensions from different sources
- There you have it – happy retiring!
WE CAN OFFER THE RIGHT HELP
Whether you’re new to pensions, or your retirement is just a few years away and you want professional financial advice, we can offer the right help for you to make the most of your money now and in the future. To find out more about your options, please contact us.
Who are Vizion Wealth?
Our approach to financial planning is simple, our clients are our number one priority and we ensure all our advice, strategies and services are tailored to the specific individual to best meet their longer term financial goals and aspirations. We understand that everyone is unique. We understand that wealth means different things to different people and each client will require a different strategy to build wealth, use and enjoy it during their lifetimes and to protect it for family and loved ones in the future.
All of us at Vizion Wealth are committed to our client’s financial success and would like to have an opportunity to review your individual wealth goals. To find out more, get in touch with us – we very much look forward to hearing from you.
DISCLAIMER
PENSIONS ARE A LONG-TERM INVESTMENT.
THE RETIREMENT BENEFITS YOU RECEIVE FROM YOUR PENSION PLAN WILL DEPEND ON A NUMBER OF FACTORS INCLUDING THE VALUE OF YOUR PLAN WHEN YOU DECIDE TO TAKE YOUR BENEFITS, WHICH ISN’T GUARANTEED, AND CAN GO DOWN AS WELL AS UP.
THE VALUE OF YOUR PLAN COULD FALL BELOW THE AMOUNT(S) PAID IN.
ACCESSING PENSION BENEFITS EARLY MAY IMPACT ON LEVELS OF RETIREMENT INCOME AND YOUR ENTITLEMENT TO CERTAIN MEANS TESTED BENEFITS.
ACCESSING PENSION BENEFITS IS NOT SUITABLE FOR EVERYONE. YOU SHOULD SEEK ADVICE TO UNDERSTAND YOUR OPTIONS AT RETIREMENT.
