11/10/2026
When life suddenly changes, knowing what to do next can leave even the calmest of characters feeling vulnerable.
The subsequent decisions made during these times will shape how the future looks more than we might realise.
I recently met a gentleman who had made the decision now was the time to start considering the route forward, around how to retire.
Our initial discussions focused on how he could gradually reduce his working hours over the coming years and put himself in the best possible position for retirement on his terms: leisure, travel, an active lifestyle.
Unexpectedly, between our meetings, he lost his job, which naturally changed the immediate planning priorities.
Whilst the future initially looked comfortable, the vast majority of his wealth was held in pensions, with some shortfalls in the short-term position (something we had initially planned to work on).
We now needed to consider how he would fund his monthly living expenses, maintain his mortgage payments and meet other financial commitments, particularly as his future earnings were expected to be lower than before, having been a high earner.
Ideally, we needed to balance his new priorities whilst ensuring to leave his future plans achievable - making the wrong decision could have resulted in a longer working life than the client desired. Or less travel and leisure.
We discussed numerous potential options, the advantages/drawbacks. Quite clearly some suggestions from the client were led by strong emotions around the vulnerable position he had found himself in. A quick reaction not quite thought through.
We took time to work things through logically, removing emotion. This approach led to the implementation of a financial plan whereby immediate needs were met, with short-term flexibility to adapt, whilst ensuring pension funding isnโt limited, and his desired retirement remains largely on track (through adjustments to the underlying assets).
Losing your job, or any sudden changes, can be incredibly unsettling, particularly when you have overheads, family commitments and long-term plans at risk. It's also a time when financial pressure and uncertainty are heightened, making it harder to weigh up decisions that may have consequences for many years to come.
Financial vulnerability isn't always about a lack of money. Sometimes, it's about a sudden change in circumstances that leaves you having to make important decisions at a particularly difficult time.
Advice isnโt simply about growing wealth or planning for retirement when everything is going as planned; it's about understanding the circumstances, stress testing, helping you prioritise what matters most and making sure that decisions made today don't unnecessarily compromise tomorrow.
You don't always need to have all the answers before seeking advice. Sometimes, the first step is simply understanding where you stand, and what needs attention first.
It doesnโt have to be from me, but someone independent, who can work through the next steps calmly, separated from the immediate emotional response.
