Your questions, answered
Answers to your most frequently asked questions.
Independent advice means more choice. Restricted advice limits your options.
Independent advice means your adviser can recommend products from across the whole market, with no ties to particular providers. That gives you access to the widest possible range of options, so the advice is shaped entirely around your needs and
circumstances.
Restricted advice, in contrast, narrows the field. Some advisers can only recommend
certain types of products or a limited panel of providers chosen by their firm. This
naturally reduces your choice and may mean missing out on better solutions elsewhere.
We are proudly independent. It gives you the best chance of finding the most costeffective, tax-efficient and tailored strategy.
Trust and expertise matter most, backed by transparency and plain English.
Two things matter most: trust and expertise. Trust is built over time, and many of our clients come through personal recommendations. Expertise means more than exams.
It requires a strong grasp of tax legislation, global markets, and how to apply them to real life.
Other key points to check:
- FCA authorisation: always confirm on the FCA Register.
- Independent vs Restricted: Independence means more choice.
- Transparent fees: you should know exactly what you are paying for.
- Clear communication: good advisers explain complex issues in plain English.
- Client reviews: look for independent feedback or testimonials.
Retirement depends on your lifestyle, income sources and how long your money needs to last.
There is no single answer. It depends on your income, assets, lifestyle, and how you picture retirement.
Start by asking yourself: What does my retirement look like? The Pensions & Lifetime Savings Association (PLSA) suggests three levels of retirement living standards, from basic to comfortable, which can be a helpful guide.
Next, consider your income sources. The state pension starts at age 66 (rising to 67), and you may also have private pensions, savings, or part-time work. Finally, think about how long your money needs to last. A 4–5% annual drawdown rate is often used to make pensions sustainable for 20–30 years.
Cash flow modelling helps make this personal, showing if and when you can retire with confidence.
Drawdown offers flexibility. Annuities offer certainty. Many people use both.
When you retire, there are two main ways to turn your pension into income.
Drawdown keeps your money invested while you withdraw as needed. It offers flexibility and growth potential, and any leftover funds can often be passed on. But income is not guaranteed, and poor markets or overspending could leave you short.
Annuities provide guaranteed income for life in exchange for your pot. They are simple and secure, with options to cover inflation or a spouse. The trade-off is less flexibility and usually no access to capital.
For many, a mix works best: annuities for essentials, drawdown for flexibility.
Investing beats cash over time, protects against inflation and lets your money grow.
UK investors are cautious. Only 23% invest in stock markets compared to 66% in the US. Yet investing has consistently outperformed cash over the long term.
The benefits are clear:
- Higher returns: US equities, for example, have more years of 20%+ growth than
down years. - Inflation protection: real assets, like shares, can rise with prices.
- Compounding: Warren Buffett calls it the 8th wonder of the world. The majority of his wealth came after age 65.
- Diversification: spreading investments across geographies, sectors, and styles reduces risk.
Investing is not about gambling. It is about giving your money the best chance to grow and protect your future.
Cash is safe for short-term needs. Investments work better for long-term growth.
Cash is safe, accessible and protected up to £85,000 per institution by the Financial
Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS). It is ideal for emergencies or 3–6 months of expenses. The drawback is inflation. Over time, rising prices reduce the spending power of cash savings, especially if interest rates are lower than inflation.
Investments carry risk because values can go up and down. But over the long term, they have historically delivered stronger growth. They are better suited for goals such as retirement or education.
The wisest approach combines both: cash for peace of mind, investments for future growth.
Inflation reduces your money’s spending power unless you invest in assets that keep up.
Inflation quietly eats into your money’s value. Over the past decade, UK CPI rose by 35%, while cash in a bank account returned just 13%. That is a real loss of 22%, or £22,000 of purchasing power for every £100,000 held.
The best defence is to invest in real assets. Companies can raise prices when costs
rise, property values can adjust, and index-linked bonds are designed to move with inflation.
The goal is not just to grow your money, but to protect what it can buy.
Compounding is growth on growth. The longer you stay invested, the stronger it
becomes.
Compounding means earning returns on both your original investment and on the returns it generates along the way.
Take £10,000 at 5% growth. After 1 year, it is £10,500. After 10 years, it is £16,289. After 20 years, it is £26,533. After 30 years, it is £43,219. The longer you leave your money invested, the stronger compounding becomes.
The key lessons:
- Start early. Time matters most.
- Reinvest returns instead of withdrawing them.
- Stay invested through the ups and downs.
Compounding turns small, regular steps into big results. It is one of the most effective ways to build wealth.
The right plan reduces the taxman’s share and protects more for your family.
IHT is expected to rise significantly, but there are well-established ways to reduce it.
- Use allowances: gifts within annual allowances can reduce your estate.
- Lifetime gifts (PETs): if you survive 7 years, these are IHT-free. Taper relief may apply between years 3 and 7.
- Trusts: allow you to pass on wealth while keeping some control.
- Life insurance: written in trust, this can cover IHT bills without adding to your estate.
- Business relief assets: qualifying investments can be exempt after 2 years,
rather than 7. - Spending: another option is simply to enjoy your money while you can.
The right plan ensures more of your wealth goes to the people you care about.