Lots of our users have seen a need to revise their retirement plans in recent months, and we know it remains on the to-do lists of many. Ask yourself these probing pension questions to see what you could be doing to enhance your financial position and get greater peace of mind.
1. Does your risk-profile require review?
Your time-horizon has a huge effect on portfolio composition. Its effect on risk-profile means the asset allocation of your pension investments is likely to change significantly over time.
It may be that your risk-profile needs to be revisited in light of the changed landscape. Recent events have caused many individuals to question their appetite for risk, particularly those fearing downturns at the point where they need to access significant funds. Your psychological comfort is hugely important too.
Your risk parameters may need significant revision down; on the flipside, the overly cautious may not be taking on sufficient risk to achieve their goals
Your risk parameters may need significant revision down; on the flipside, the overly cautious may not be taking on sufficient risk to achieve their goals. Risk-profiles are notoriously difficult to self-assess, and are both a science and an art. Your first professional assessment – or a second opinion – can be a very illuminating exercise. Why not let us set some initial conversations up
2. Do you need cash flow modelling for clarity?
Many people across age groups feel like the crisis has thrown their retirement plans into disarray. The answer may lie in cash flow modelling. This requires complex calculations, but can be an invaluable means of getting real clarity about where you are on your retirement roadmap and what kind of wealth expectations are reasonable.
Cash flow modelling allows for best and worst case scenarios to be planned for, cushioning both the financial and psychological impact of any shocks.
Cash flow modelling allows for best and worst case scenarios to be planned for, cushioning both the financial and psychological impact of any shocks
Pension planning is one of the most complex elements of wealth management because of the tax complexities, ever-changing allowances and other variables involved. Their broad expertise means wealth managers can help optimise pensions in many ways as part of a holistic plan.
3. Could you plough more money into your pot?
We are often asked how to best to deploy a windfall or excess cash. Topping up your pension is seldom a bad idea and even modest increases can make a huge difference by compounding over the years.
Cashflow modelling will reveal the impact increased contributions could have on your lifestyle in retirement – and highlight any shortfalls that need to be addressed
Achieving reasonable growth, someone in their mid-forties saving an additional £250 a month could reap the reward of an extra £100,000 in their pension pot at 65. It is never too late to turbo-charge your pension savings, however.
Cashflow modelling will reveal the impact increased contributions could have on your lifestyle in retirement – and highlight any shortfalls that need to be addressed.
4. Do you have a plan for drip-feeding money in?
The key to savvy investing is to be opportunistic, but still strategic, the experts say. Disciplined plans to drip-feed money into the markets at regular intervals mean that emotion can be taken out of the equation.
Disciplined plans to drip-feed money into the markets at regular intervals mean that emotion can be taken out of the equation
It’s easy to get put off in volatile times, or to get caught up in excitement. The wise approach is to be highly selective. Indiscriminate buying when markets are frothy is a costly and common mistake. If market sentiment is exuberant, take advice to see where you could usefully increase exposure first.
Top Tip
The importance of retirement security cannot be overstated. With life expectancy lengthening and care fees rocketing, the prospect of running out of money haunts even the quite wealthy. Don’t let the emotiveness of the issue get the better of you, however. Note down any points this piece brings up and have a no-obligation discussion with an expert.
Lee Goggin
Co-Founder
5. Could you turn the dial even slightly on performance or fees?
Maximising growth depends on also turning the dial in your favour on performance and fees.
Even seemingly small differences in either can compound to make a huge difference over time, so always shave off what you can from fees and seek boosted performance.
Even seemingly small differences in either can compound to make a huge difference over time, so always shave off what you can from fees and seek boosted performance
Our wealth manager selection process allows you to compare factual matches side-by-side for ease of comparison, putting you in a much stronger position for negotiation. Use our Knowledge Centre to get up to speed fast.
6. Am I being as tax-efficient as possible?
Tax mitigation is where things get complex, but it is also where significant savings can – quite legitimately – be made. Investing via tax-wrappers like SIPPs and ISAs is just the beginning of the moves you should make to maximise your retirement savings, although navigating allowances can be a minefield.
Care over how you hold investments, the precise investments that you choose and maximising any allowances you have are vital moves too. It is unwise to attempt any sophisticated tax planning without taking professional advice, but with it you may find several ways to boost your pension pot.
It is unwise to attempt any sophisticated tax planning without taking professional advice, but with it you may find several ways to boost your pension pot
Opportunities to pass wealth through the generations more tax-efficiently can also be created through pension structures.
7. Will unpaid National Insurance reduce your income?
Your state pension may only be a small part of your retirement funds, but you should certainly take action to ensure you receive the full amount.
Less than half of people receive the full state pension. It is thought that three-quarters of retirees are ending up with less than three-quarters of the full amount.
It is thought that three-quarters of retirees are ending up with less than three-quarters of the full amount
Often punished are those who have been contracted out for some of the required 35-year payment period (often senior public sector workers). Married women who were hoping to receive a top-up through their spouse’s pension should also note that the new pension is based solely on an individual’s NI contributions.
It is often possible to top up by paying in voluntary NI contributions and so receive the full pension amount, so seek advice to see if this would be worthwhile for you.
Does your pension need a makeover?
Our pension pots are among our most important financial assets, and they should be tended to as such. All too often though, they tend to be slightly neglected.
Making sure that your strategy continues to precisely reflect your risk-profile and objectives is an ongoing task and where wealth managers can add significant value. Complex planning scenarios taking in investments, tax and more are where they excel.
If asking yourself these pension questions has raised any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our expert team. Or, use our matching tool to have a free consultation set up right away.
Important information
The investment strategy explanations contained in this piece are for informational purposes only, represent the views of individual institutions, and are not intended in any way as financial or investment advice. Any comment on specific securities should not be interpreted as investment research or advice, solicitation or recommendations to buy or sell a particular security.
We always advise consultation with a professional before making any investment decisions.
Always remember that investing involves risk and the value of investments may fall as well as rise. Past performance should not be seen as a guarantee of future returns.
