Pension and retirement planning, built around your goals
We provide independent pension and retirement planning advice to individuals and business owners across Worcestershire, Warwickshire and the Midlands, covering both the years spent building your pension and the decisions you face when you're ready to access it.
We help you understand how much you may need, how your existing arrangements are performing, and how best to access your pension when the time comes.
Who is this for?
Those building up pensions during their working life, and those approaching or already at retirement who want to make informed choices about drawing benefits.
How we work
We review existing pensions, consider your desired retirement age and income, and assess how different contribution levels and investment strategies could help you meet your targets.
Who we work with
We partner with business owners who are committed to looking after their teams with well designed workplace pensions.
Supporting you before and after retirement
Pre‑retirement planning
Reviewing existing arrangements, projecting potential outcomes and helping you understand whether you are on track for your intended retirement lifestyle.
At‑retirement options
Exploring the different ways to draw benefits, including annuities, drawdown and lump sums, and what each means for your tax position and long-term income.
Ongoing reviews
Regular reviews to keep your pension strategy aligned with changes in legislation, markets and your own circumstances, so your plan stays right for you over time.
A pension is a long‑term investment. The fund value may fluctuate and can go down as well as up. The value of your fund is not guaranteed and may be less than you have paid in.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if I am saving enough for retirement?
A useful starting point is to estimate the income you would need in retirement and compare it against what your current pension savings are projected to produce. Many people find a gap between the two. We can run projections based on your existing arrangements, expected retirement age and contribution levels to give you a clear picture of where you stand.
What is the difference between a defined benefit and a defined contribution pension?
A defined benefit pension (sometimes called a final salary pension) pays you a guaranteed income in retirement based on your salary and years of service. A defined contribution pension builds up a pot of money based on contributions and investment returns, and you decide how to use the pot when you retire. Most workplace pensions opened in recent years are defined contribution.
When can I access my pension?
The minimum pension access age is currently 55, rising to 57 in 2028. Some schemes have protected earlier access ages. Taking benefits before you need them is not always the right approach, as the longer money stays invested, the greater the potential for growth. We help you think through the timing as part of your broader retirement plan.
What is pension drawdown?
Drawdown allows you to keep your pension pot invested and withdraw income from it as and when you need it, rather than converting the whole pot into a guaranteed annuity. It offers flexibility but also means your income is not guaranteed, so investment performance and how much you withdraw each year both matter significantly. We help you plan a sustainable withdrawal strategy.
Can I transfer my pension to a different provider?
In most cases, yes. Whether a transfer makes sense depends on the charges, investment options, benefits attached to the existing scheme and your overall objectives. Transfers away from defined benefit schemes require specialist advice and careful consideration, as you would typically be giving up a guaranteed income in exchange for flexibility.
How does the State Pension affect my retirement planning?
The full new State Pension provides a meaningful and inflation-linked foundation for most people's retirement income. We take your State Pension entitlement into account when assessing how much additional private pension income you will need, and it can significantly affect how much you need to save privately. You can check your State Pension forecast through the government's online service.
Ready to take control of your financial future?
Get in touch and an adviser will contact you directly to talk through how we can help.