Anglian Wealth Management

The first five years matter
Retirement planning often focuses on one date: the day you finish work.

But what about the five years that follow?

For many people, the early years of retirement are when they hope to travel more, pursue hobbies, spend time with family and finally enjoy the freedom they’ve worked towards.

That can also mean expenditure looks very different at 65 than it might at 80.

Planning retirement income around a fixed annual figure may therefore miss an important part of the picture – how you actually intend to live.

Understanding your likely spending at different stages can help you build a retirement plan that reflects real life, while considering how long your money may need to last.

The question isn’t only “How much will I need to retire?”

What do you want your retirement years to look like?

💭 “I'll probably retire at 65.”
But why 65?

For many successful professionals, a retirement age becomes fixed in their mind years before anyone has actually calculated whether they need to work that long.

Your financial position may eventually give you more options.

Perhaps you could finish at 62. Move into consultancy at 58. Take a six-month sabbatical. Work three days a week. Or continue beyond 65 because you genuinely enjoy what you do.

Detailed financial planning and cash flow forecasting can help put numbers behind each scenario and show how different decisions could affect your long-term position.

The most valuable question may not be “When should I retire?”

It could be “When does work become optional?”

Running a successful business often means your personal and business finances become closely linked.

That's why planning shouldn't stop at your company accounts.

From tax-efficient pension contributions and succession planning to protecting key people and preparing for retirement, a joined-up approach can help you make confident decisions for both your business and your future.

We're proud to support business owners across East Anglia with financial advice tailored to their goals.

The closer you get to retirement, the fewer years you may have to correct course, which can make good financial planning even more valuable.

The years immediately before and after retirement can involve some of the biggest financial decisions you'll make.

• When should you start taking your pension?
• How much income can you comfortably draw?
• Should your investment strategy change?
• How will your income needs evolve throughout retirement?
• And how does your wider estate and the wealth you'd eventually like to pass on to your family fit into the picture?

Retirement planning is about looking at these decisions together and understanding how one choice could affect another.

Whether retirement is still several years away or already firmly on the horizon, a review can help you understand where you stand, identify any areas that may need attention and give you greater confidence in the years ahead.

At Anglian Wealth Management, we help individuals and families across East Anglia plan for retirement and beyond.

It's rarely too late to benefit from having a clearer plan.

Did you know... financial planning is about much more than investments?

A good financial plan considers every part of your financial life, including
• Retirement planning
• Tax efficiency
• Estate planning
• Protection for your family
• Business exit strategy planning
• Investments

It's about understanding how each piece fits together to help you achieve your long-term goals.

That's why we take a holistic approach with every client we work with.

There's something special about being able to meet the people who look after your finances.

While we're always happy to meet virtually, many of our clients still value sitting down together to discuss what's important to them.

From our office in Norwich, we regularly meet clients throughout Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire, building relationships that often span many years.

Good financial planning starts with a conversation.

How financially confident do you feel?

You don’t need to be an investment expert to take control of your financial future.

Understanding what you have, what you owe, what you’re saving and what you’re ultimately working towards is a very good place to start.

National Financial Awareness Day gives us all an excuse to talk about money a little more openly.

Talk to your partner about retirement. Explain saving to your children. Ask questions about your pension. Find out what protection you have through work.

Financial knowledge develops one conversation at a time. And if you need a helping hand, we're here to guide you.

Each tax year, you have an opportunity to invest up to your annual ISA allowance free from UK Income Tax and Capital Gains Tax.
If you don't use it before the end of the tax year, it's gone.

Making regular use of your allowance can become a valuable part of a long-term financial plan.

If you're unsure whether you're making the most of the available allowances, we'd be happy to help.

Taxation rules can change at any time and are dependent on individual circumstances.

Q: How often should I review my financial plan?
A: At least once a year, but also whenever life changes.

A new job. Retirement. An inheritance. Selling a business. Helping children financially.

Major milestones often have wider implications for your tax position, investments and long-term goals.

Even if nothing has changed, an annual review helps ensure your financial plan is still working as hard as it should be.

Financial planning isn't about reacting to change. It's about preparing for it.

No two clients are the same. That's why no two conversations are either.

Some meetings are focused on retirement planning. Others centre around supporting children onto the property ladder, reviewing investments or helping business owners plan for the future.

Whatever brings someone through our door, we start in the same place: by listening.

Understanding what matters to our clients has always been the foundation of the advice we provide.