Request a call back

Callback Form

For more information or advice, please fill in your details below and we will contact you shortly.

Sending
×

Retirement readiness in your 50s

Now is the time to make sure you know how much you need to save

As you enter your 50s, retirement looms larger on the horizon, making it crucial to ensure your finances are optimally positioned. This stage of life demands a coordinated and joined-up approach to financial planning to enjoy retirement on your terms. An essential step is to clarify your retirement goals.

While saving for retirement might have been a long-standing objective, now is the time to know how much you need to save. This target will depend on when you plan to retire, your retirement lifestyle aspirations, and factors like projected investment growth and inflation.

Reviewing your investment portfolio

With retirement approaching, assessing whether your investment portfolio effectively balances risk and reward is vital. The appropriate level of investment risk varies based on your retirement funding strategy and timeline. If you’re considering purchasing an annuity, progressively shifting your pension fund from stocks to lower-risk assets, such as cash, can safeguard against market volatility.

Conversely, if your retirement strategy involves income drawdown or other investments, maintaining exposure to equities can support long-term growth, shielding your savings from inflation’s erosive effects.

Focusing on pension contributions

Pensions are highly effective retirement savings vehicles, particularly in your 50s, due to the tax relief on contributions. In the current 2024/25 tax year, for basic-rate taxpayers, a £1,000 pension contribution effectively costs £800, while higher-rate taxpayers pay £600, and additional-rate taxpayers pay £550. This tax relief acts as a government-subsidised boost to your retirement fund.

Most individuals can contribute up to 100% of their UK relevant earnings or £60,000 annually (2024/25 tax year) while benefiting from tax relief up to age 75. If your income is very high, your pension annual allowance might be lower, but unused allowances from the previous three years can be utilised under carry-forward rules.

Maximising tax allowances

Beyond pensions, several tax allowances can enhance your investment strategy. You can invest up to £20,000 a year (2024/25 tax year) into Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs0, securing tax-efficient growth and withdrawals. This flexibility benefits those retiring before age 55, providing a valuable income source.

Other allowances include the personal savings allowance, dividend allowance, and Capital Gains Tax exemption, allowing for tax-free interest, dividends, and gains within specific limits. We can assist in optimising these allowances to ensure your portfolio is structured for maximum tax efficiency.

Importance of professional guidance

The investment choices you make in your 50s can significantly influence your retirement lifestyle. While there’s still time to fortify your savings, missteps can derail your plans. Professional financial advice is invaluable in navigating these challenges. We’ll evaluate whether your portfolio aligns with your goals and ascertain if you’re on track for the retirement you envision.

THIS ARTICLE DOES NOT CONSTITUTE TAX, LEGAL OR FINANCIAL 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.

THE VALUE OF YOUR INVESTMENTS CAN GO DOWN AS WELL AS UP, AND YOU MAY GET BACK LESS THAN YOU INVESTED.

THE TAX TREATMENT IS DEPENDENT ON INDIVIDUAL CIRCUMSTANCES AND MAY BE SUBJECT TO CHANGE IN FUTURE.

Adam Reeves

Author: Adam Reeves

DipPFS Cert CII (MP&ER)
Independent Financial Planner, Wealth Manager, Director

Last updated on

Read our reviews

Vouched For
×

Adam was quick to assess & understand my situation, and was able to discuss & communicate in a very concise and simple way the various options available to me, taking time for me to understand and clarify where necessary. My understanding & knowledge of taxation & pensions has increased significantly allowing me to feel much happier making financial decisions for the future.

Rob – West Sussex

Adam and his team undertook in-depth research into our existing QROPS schemes and clearly set out both pros and cons of transferring the funds back to the UK. Having decided to go ahead with the transfer, Adam and his team worked extremely hard to facilitate the transfer. The QROPS pension trustees were not always the most professional or responsive organisation – however we were very grateful for the perseverance and commitment that Adam showed us as clients.

Jonathan – East Sussex

Adam offered a range of financial products , the one he suggested was affordable and proved to be a good choice.  Returns on investments have exceeded my expectations, based on Adam’s advice and guidance. Profits have enabled house improvements to take place.

David - Surrey

Adam arranged an appointment very timely, he explained his role and qualifications as an IFA giving me reassurance , we went through my retirement and investment goals. Adam discussed my options explaining in great detail, I felt relaxed during our discussions allowing me to fully understand my choices. I feel very confident in the financial advice allowing me to enjoy my retirement.

I was very happy with Adam’s recommendations and explanations of financial products which would suit my retirement goals, I feel this has helped me review and reduce my financial risk as I reach retirement, leaving me feeling confident that I can enjoy my retirement plans.

Ron – West Sussex

After initial meeting Adam put together a very detailed and thorough written plan. At our second meeting he went through the whole booklet and explained everything in layman’s terms which made it a lot easier to understand.

I am very happy with everything that was suggested and put in place especially with something as big and important as pensions. Adam and his team have taken a huge weight off my shoulders and I would highly recommend their services to anyone needing help with their financial planning and pension.  Adam couldn’t have been more helpful, and even came outside his normal area to meet me on a number of occasions.

Richard - Kent

Unfortunately I had to claim on my critical illness insurance due to my wife being ill and because of the sound advice Adam gave in acquiring this insurance we ended up being financially safe through a tough time.

Steve - Kent

Adam did a review of our financial situation, confirmed that Flexible Drawdown best suited our needs as a family, and then did all the research into the best product for us. He will continue to monitor it for me. He acted extremely promptly because we had a deadline for requiring the lump sum; went out of his way arranging meetings during non-office hours, was professional yet friendly and explained a difficult subject very well.

Clare – East Sussex

Adam did a thorough review of my pension policies, clearly explained how well they had performed, how flexible they were, how the market regulation has changed, and, crucially, what the tax implications would be if I were to leave them untouched. He accurately assessed my attitude to risk and recommended an up-to-date solution that will offer me the greatest flexibility at retirement.

Greg – East Sussex
Read all our reviews here
×
Indices
Value Move   %     
FTSE 100
8,349.3813.57 stock arrow0.16 stock arrow
FTSE All Share
4,561.216.27 stock arrow0.14 stock arrow
Currencies
Value Move   %     

Market Data

Data is compiled by Adviser Portals Ltd every 60 minutes. Information is not realtime. Last updated: 05/12/2024 at 07:00 PM
×