Pension & Retirement Planning

Investment Advice

Our primary objectives when managing a pension fund are threefold.

Our first is to assess the attitude to investment risk of the individual member, for whom we are providing advice and to recommend an asset allocation that is in line with their attitude to risk. A bespoke fund portfolio is then created.

Our second is to ensure the selected funds match the established asset allocation. We also assess the Fund managers of the chosen funds, using our own detailed selection criteria.

Thirdly, through regular one to one personal consultations with the member the chosen investment portfolio is then regularly reviewed and rebalanced to ensure that actions are taken to react to a change in either an individual attitude to investment risk or a fund performing outside of that expected.

More information on Investment Advice

Annuities

An annuity is the vehicle which provides your guaranteed income for life when you retire. You would normally buy an annuity using all or most of your pension pot, or perhaps, from other personal savings What a lot of people do not realise is that you can, with certain conditions, “shop around” with your pension savings. You do not have to buy your annuity from the same company you save with.

Different annuity companies offer different annuity rates and we can help you carry out a comparison exercise using our considerable experience and knowledge of the marketplace.
Impaired lives and enhanced annuities

The income you receive from an annuity is dependant upon your life expectancy. In brief, the shorter your life expectancy, the more you can potentially receive.

If you suffer, or have suffered, from illnesses such as diabetes; cancer; heart condition or high blood pressure an annuity company could well decide your life expectancy is shorter. Under these conditions the annuity company could offer you an increased income.

You should be aware that not all annuity companies offer these enhanced terms for impaired lives but we can certainly help you “shop around” and approach those that do.
Income Drawdown

Using “Income Drawdown” you can take money from your fund whilst leaving the remainder invested for further growth, as opposed to the more normal method of taking the whole or most of the fund to buy an annuity to obtain income.

If your existing pension does not have an income drawdown facility we can help you transfer it to one that does.

Income Drawdown allows you to take control of your retirement income and gives you a certain amount of flexibility. The money that remains in the fund will continue to grow free of any tax.

There are certain conditions and regulations concerning age restrictions and in certain conditions buying an annuity may be your preferred option. We can explain exactly what you can or cannot do, discuss with you the advantages of Income Drawdown, and help set it up should you wish to do so.

Please note that pension legislation is subject to change. It is important that you take independent advice prior to deciding which option is best for you.

Phased Retirement

You may wish to gradually reduce your work hours before retirement date, instead of an abrupt cut off, or to retire and receive retirement benefits while continuing to work (usually part-time) but still contribute towards the retirement scheme.

You are able to do this by means of using an income withdrawal system or by staggering the purchase of short term annuities over several years. Using either method allows you to take a portion of your pension fund to provide income but leaving the balance of your fund fully invested.

Please note that pension legislation is subject to change. It is important that you take independent advice prior to deciding which option is best for you.

Alternatively Secured Pensions

If you have not bought an annuity by the time you are 77 the limits and rules change in regard to income drawdown or short term annuities. These rules are currently under review, but we can help you decide how they might affect you.

Please note that pension legislation is subject to change. It is important that you take independent advice prior to deciding which option is best for you.