When I was 16 years old my Grandad died suddenly, it was devastating for me and it took quite a long time to get over the shock. Eventually, though you start to accept these things as he was old. However, as I got older I realised he was only 66! To a 16 year old that was old now as a 37-year old, I realise when I’m 66 I won’t even be old enough to claim my state pension.
Perspective is a powerful thing it frames how we see the world.
For those of you reading this and old enough to have acquired the perspective that there is more to life than working and life can be shorter than you anticipate there is some good news. Although the state pension age is ever-increasing you can stop working or scale back working whenever you can afford to.
In my personal opinion, it’s easier now to retire or semi-retire early than it ever has been, for those who are determined to do so. The ‘pension freedoms’ the press often discuss in abstract or sensationalised terms have revolutionised how you can plan for retirement. Instead of using your pension to provide a basic living alongside your state pension, it can be used creatively to let you enjoy life while you’re still young enough and have the state pension as an income top-up later.
If you have acquired a perspective that life is for living there is a lot that we can do to help you to live it. There is no one size fits all solution, pension flexibility allows you to tailor your financial arrangements to meet YOUR perspective and needs. If you have this perspective on life and ‘retirement’ and you’re determined then we can help you, you only have to ask.