Pension & retirement
John Mclaren
Early retirement typically signifies reaching financial autonomy before the statutory pension age, however the concept of early retirement will differ by each individual and their life objectives.
In the United Kingdom, retirees can begin drawing their State Pension at age 66, although this retirement benchmark is set to increase to age 67 by 6th April 2028. Individuals can also start drawing on their personal or workplace pension savings at age 55, however this is due to increase to age 57 from 6th April 2028.
During the early retirement phase, the focus tends to be on living life to the fullest and accomplishing long-held dreams. One’s spending might then reduce as activity levels decline, only to surge again later, possibly due to rising care needs.
It’s common for individuals to either overestimate their health or underestimate their lifespan. As average life expectancy gets longer, some people may spend over 20 years or more in retirement. Yet, as with many aspects of life, this depends on a number of variables.
In fundamental terms, full retirement implies that your lifetime expenses should not surpass your income plus any remaining assets, such as savings and investments. This can be a complex calculation in many instances. It will require you to weigh your pension and other income sources against your expenditure and evolving needs as you age.
Simultaneously, it’s crucial to consider investment returns and inflation, which refers to the rising cost of living. As we have recently witnessed, everyday prices can escalate rapidly, significantly diminishing the purchasing power of a fixed income or cash savings.
Embracing early retirement doesn’t necessarily translate to a full-stop on professional life. Instead, many individuals transition into more flexible, part-time roles or switch toward volunteering. This shift allows retirees to sidestep less appealing aspects of working life, such as long commutes or stressful work environments whilst retaining many employment benefits.
Unfortunately, early retirement due to ill health isn’t a choice but a necessity, creating unique challenges for some. Time constraints limit opportunities to plan and build retirement finances. Additionally, careful planning for care and support becomes a priority. Making the decision to retire early is significant and requires thorough consideration of multiple factors.
To determine whether you can retire early, you will need to assess your financial standing. This means calculating your total pension pots, tracking lost ones and considering other possible income sources or debts. Additionally, you need to envision your ideal early retirement lifestyle and estimate its costs.
To retire early, starting to plan sooner rather than later is essential. The earlier you start saving, the harder your money can work for you. Please contact us for further information or assistance in navigating your retirement journey. We’re here to help you plan for a secure and fulfilling future.
| Match me to an adviser | Subscribe to receive updates |
THIS ARTICLE DOES NOT CONSTITUTE TAX OR LEGAL ADVICE AND SHOULD NOT BE RELIED UPON AS SUCH.
TAX TREATMENT DEPENDS ON THE INDIVIDUAL CIRCUMSTANCES OF EACH CLIENT AND MAY BE SUBJECT TO CHANGE IN THE FUTURE. FOR GUIDANCE, SEEK PROFESSIONAL ADVICE.
A PENSION IS A LONG-TERM INVESTMENT NOT NORMALLY ACCESSIBLE UNTIL AGE 55 (57 FROM APRIL 2028 UNLESS THE PLAN HAS A PROTECTED PENSION AGE).
THE VALUE OF YOUR INVESTMENTS (AND ANY INCOME FROM THEM) CAN GO DOWN AS WELL AS UP, WHICH WOULD HAVE AN IMPACT ON THE LEVEL OF PENSION BENEFITS AVAILABLE.
YOUR PENSION INCOME COULD ALSO BE AFFECTED BY THE INTEREST RATES AT THE TIME YOU TAKE YOUR BENEFITS.
For further information, please contact:
For further information, please contact:
