It's important to plan ahead for your retirement. Here, we explain why pension planning is so important, and describe some of the options available to you. This information is intended only as guidance. For advice on your specific circumstances, please get in touch.

The value of your pension can fall as well as rise and you may not get back the original amount invested.

The value of retirement planning

We all know it's important to plan for retirement, but many of us are still not planning well enough. Despite all the media headlines and Government initiatives, many of us still have a 'tomorrow will do' attitude. This is worrying for one simple reason - we are going to live longer than most of us think. This article explains further.

What is a Personal Pension?

Personal pensions may be suitable if you are self-employed, if you are not working but can afford to put aside money for retirement, or even in addition to a company pension.

Your Retirement Options and Pensions Freedom

On 6 April 2015 new pension rules came into force, giving you much greater flexibility over how you use your pension savings and the options you have in retirement. This document does NOT apply to people who are in Final Salary pension plans.

How Personal Pensions work

The fundamental idea of a personal pension plan is simple. You put money into a savings fund and it hopefully grows in value. At retirement, you convert the fund into a regular income payment, which is designed to replace some (or all) of your employment income.

Pensions & Divorce

With pensions being most people's second-largest asset, they can become a major consideration in any divorce settlement.

Income Drawdown

Annuities are historically the most popular option in retirement, with a great many looking for the security that they provide. However, it's unlikely that they will continue to account for as high a % of retirement income products as they have in the past, Why, you ask? This document will explain further.