Starting the journey to retirement, whether that’s instant or gradual, is one of life's biggest changes. With change comes emotion and uncertainty, and that’s where we help. Keeping it simple is our number one priority, and our favourite thing to tell clients is ‘you need to spend more’.
Using our cash flow modelling software, we can see how long your current funds will last, depending on your spending needs. This is a visual tool and really helps provide some comfort.
We’ll then demonstrate how we can add value, which could be through utilising tax allowances, re-structuring your investments, changing the level of risk taken or using pension flexibilities. This is the ‘Financial Plan’.
We’ll help you plan a stable and affordable income throughout your retirement. After the initial work, we meet at least annually to ensure the cogs are turning as smoothly as possible. We may suggest a few tweaks along the way, keep you updated with the latest changes in legislation, and ensure the plan remains as tax-efficient as possible.
Our investment approach is designed to make things simple for you. With over 20 years of combined financial planning experience, we’ve seen what works time and time again.
Investment advice forms a part of all services, but we can provide bespoke advice on your investment portfolio as an individual solution, too.
Cash flow planning is a tool we use to project your financial position into the future. It helps you to understand what your finances could look like throughout your lifetime, taking into account your income, spending and overall net worth. Take a look at this graph for an example.
Another way of thinking about cash flow is a simple bucket. You have water coming in at the top (salary, state pension etc.), you have the water in the bucket (savings, investments, pensions), you have your property on the outside, which could be used if needed, and then you have water dripping out of the bottom (routine spending, new cars, holidays). Our job is to make sure the bucket never runs dry, but also to help you understand what you can afford to spend, and ensure you spend with confidence.
Estate planning isn’t just about passing on money as inheritance. For us, it’s also about enjoying life now and ensuring you have enough to live well. This is why it’s so important to start planning early. We can show you how much money you will need, help you to pass on assets in the most effective way, and work with you to reduce or manage an Inheritance Tax bill.
Many people want to keep an element of control when passing on their assets. They may want their money to be used for a particular reason, such as paying for a first house deposit or ensuring it stays within the family.
We can give you advice to ensure your money is gifted to the people you want, for the reasons you choose. Working with trusted partners, our team will also ensure you have the correct legal documents in place and up to date.
During all of the services we provide, we will stress test your plan and ensure your loved ones are secure should the worst happen. This could include losing your job, early death, critical illness or incapacity.
These aren’t things we like to talk about, but we will explain in a simple way how your loved ones would cope, and then offer any solutions should there be a shortfall. It’s about having that plan B and not worrying.
Fees start once we build your financial plan, which happens after the initial call and meeting. Initial calls and meetings are always at our expense, then the chargeable financial plan takes anywhere from 2-8 weeks to complete from there.
We will be transparent about when a charge occurs before we proceed with any work, agreeing on a fee before we begin so that everyone is happy. The figure will depend on the complexity of your affairs.
