What Are My Options as I Approach Retirement?
As retirement gets closer, it’s important to know what choices you have and how each one affects your future income.
We’ll help you review your pensions, explore your options, and understand what makes the most sense for your situation.
You might be looking at flexible drawdown, guaranteed income, or a mix of both.
You may also want to decide when to stop working or how to use other savings alongside your pension.
We’ll guide you through every option so you can move forward with a clear plan.
When Should I Start Making Retirement Decisions?
We often speak to clients a few years before they plan to retire.
That early stage is one of the best times to review your finances and start making decisions.
Our pension advisors will help you assess your current setup, explain what’s possible, and show you what actions could improve your retirement position.
This could include changing contributions, reviewing investment risk, or planning for tax efficiency.
Taking advice now can give you more flexibility, more certainty, and fewer surprises later on.
Can I Access My Pension Before I Retire?
From age 55 (rising to 57 from 2028), you can usually start taking money from your pension.
We’ll help you decide whether early access is the right choice for you, and if so, how to structure it in a way that protects your future income.
Many people don’t realise how much early withdrawals can reduce the value of their pension or increase their tax bill.
We’ll help you understand the trade-offs so you can make decisions that suit your full retirement plan.
Planning Ahead for a Smoother Retirement
01 Review Your Pension and Retirement Age
The first step in your retirement plan is knowing where you stand.
We’ll help you review how much you’ve saved, how your pension is invested, and when you want to start taking income.
Your pension advisor will check whether your retirement timeline is realistic and explain what changes could help improve your position.
You’ll get clear answers and a plan that fits the way you want to retire.
02 Explore Income Options Before You Retire
We’ll guide you through your income choices before you reach retirement, so you’re not rushed into decisions later on.
This includes looking at drawdown, annuities, and how different options compare in terms of flexibility and risk.
You don’t need to decide everything straight away, but we’ll help you understand what’s available and how each option might work for you.
That way, you’re ready when the time comes.
03 Consider Your Tax Position Early
How and when you take income from your pension affects how much tax you’ll pay.
We’ll look at your full financial picture and help you plan withdrawals in the most efficient way.
This might include using your tax-free lump sum, managing income within your allowance, or structuring withdrawals across multiple tax years.
You’ll have a plan that supports your goals and avoids unnecessary tax costs.
04 Make Sure Your Pension Matches Your Plans
As retirement gets closer, your pension investments may need to change.
We’ll review how your money is currently invested and check whether it still reflects your risk level and income needs.
If we find a better approach, your pension advisor will explain the options and help you adjust your plan.
Our aim is to keep your pension aligned with the retirement you’re working towards.
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Speak to Matt directly
Matt Leadley Independent Pension & Retirement Adviser
Every enquiry that comes through this website is handled by Matt, not passed to a call centre. The first conversation is free, there is no obligation, and you will get a straight answer about whether advice would actually help you.
Book a free, no-obligation consultation
A short conversation is usually enough to tell you whether advice would help, and what it would cost. There is no charge for the first call.
9:00am to 5:00pm