At Jane Smith Financial Planning, we’ve been providing expert and professional financial advice for 30 years.
The global, political, and economic landscape has shifted often during that time. But some age-old concerns – living the lifestyle we want, or looking after our loved ones – have stayed the same.
It’s no surprise then, that during the last three decades, some common questions have cropped up again and again.
Here are just five of them, and the answers you need.
1. I’ve had all my paperwork through but I don’t understand it. What should I do?
First, stay calm! The financial decisions you have to make are important and can have long-term ramifications so it’s natural to feel anxious.
The volume of information can also seem overwhelming but it needn’t be.
At Jane Smith, we’ll never use unnecessary jargon. That’s because we want you to feel in control and confident in your financial plan. We’re always on hand to help so feel free to contact us.
We can help you break down the information you receive and highlight the actions you need to take, whether that’s deciding on pension options or fund choices.
2. I’m scared I won’t have “enough” when I come to retire
This is something we all worry about. After a lifetime of work, it’s understandable that you want to be comfortable, living the retirement lifestyle you choose.
That’s where having a plan comes in. We can look at your financial situation now, and where you want to be in the future, and then find the path connecting the two that works best for you.
The sooner you start saving toward your pension the better. But it’s also never too late to start.
Think about when you want to retire, and the lifestyle you want, and be prepared to save for yourself now.
3. How are my funds invested?
Investment is a long-term proposition that aligns your risk profile with your goals.
At Jane Smith Financial Planning, we understand that a successful investment does not make the most returns as quickly as possible. Instead, it reaches your destination in your chosen time frame while taking as little risk as possible.
Your investments are risk-managed through diversification and careful asset allocation to align with your profile.
If a change of circumstances alters your attitude to risk, or you’re concerned about how your investment reflects your values on, say, sustainability issues, get in touch.
4. Can I afford to help my kids and will I leave a tax liability when I die?
While both of these issues might seem like later-life concerns, they must be part of your plans and budgeting from the off.
You might choose to help your children during your lifetime. This is known as “giving while living” and it has several financial and non-financial benefits.
It can be done tax-efficiently, using certain HMRC exemptions. These allow you to gift tax-free while lowering the value of your estate for Inheritance Tax (IHT) calculation purposes.
There’s also the benefit (over a traditional inheritance on death) that you’ll still be around to see the difference your money makes. It might also reach your children at the time when they need it most when buying a first home or starting a family, for example.
That’s not to say that you shouldn’t also make plans for what happens when you pass away or lose capacity. This means making a will and keeping it up to date, but could also mean putting a Lasting Power of Attorney in place.
These are all important steps that we can help you with, integrating them into your long-term plans so that you can have peace of mind today.
5. I know what I could do, but what should I do?
We’re here to help you put a plan in place based on the information you provide us. By getting to know you, we can get to the crux of what matters to you and help you achieve your goals.
You’ll be able to use cashflow modelling to work through scenarios and see clear, visual representations of the outcomes, based on different choices you might make.
This means you’ll be fully aware of all the facts and best placed to make the right decision for you. There is no one right answer but we can make recommendations and explain the rationale behind the options we suggest.
The ultimate decision is yours, but with guidance, you’ll have the knowledge and confidence to make the choice that works for you, putting you in control of your financial future.
Get in touch
If you would like to discuss the answers to these or any other questions you might have, get in touch. Please contact us on info@janesmithfinancial.com or call 01234 713131.
Please note
The value of your investment can go down as well as up and you may not get back the full amount you invested. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. Levels, bases of and reliefs from taxation may be subject to change and their value depends on the individual circumstances of the investor.
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