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How much will retirement cost you after inflation?

Due to the consequences of the Covid pandemic, the energy crisis and a range of other factors, the UK and the wider global economy has seen inflation increase the cost of living substantially in a relatively short amount of time. This has resulted in much of the population having to cut back on their spending and reconsider their priorities when it comes to everyday purchases. This has meant that many have been preoccupied with immediate concerns that have arisen following the start of the cost of living crisis and have failed to consider how it might impact their retirement. 

Research shows that for a single person living alone, the cost of a basic retirement has risen by 18%, now estimated at around £12,800 annually as opposed to the £10,900 needed before the cost increases.

The cost of energy and fuel makes up a large part of this increase, meaning that those who are hoping to retire in the coming months will probably need to reconsider their retirement plans or be forced to compromise on the quality of life they were hoping to maintain.

The government’s commitment to the pension triple lock means that there will be some increased support for pensioners, as the state pension is set to rise by 10.1% this year. However, this does not compensate for the 18% increase in the cost of retiring and there are also fears that this policy is ‘unsustainable’, as it will cost the government over £9 billion next year alone.

How can Blacktower help?

If you are concerned about the increase in the cost of retirement and want to ensure that your retirement plans are still sufficient, we can help.

We can provide a holistic review of your finances and delineate the best way to achieve your financial goals, helping you feel at ease knowing that you’re on the right track to your dream retirement.

If you would like to arrange a complimentary, no-obligation consultation with one of our advisers, click the link below to get in touch.

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This communication is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute, and should not be construed as, investment advice, investment recommendations or investment research. You should seek advice form a professional adviser before embarking on any financial planning activity. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the information contained in this communication is correct, we are not responsible for any errors or omissions.

This communication is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute, and should not be construed as, investment advice, investment recommendations or investment research. You should seek advice from a professional adviser before embarking on any financial planning activity. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the information contained in this communication is correct, we are not responsible for any errors or omissions.

Other News

Final salary pensions – why now is a good time to cash in

Juicy lottery-sized sums are being offered to savers to tempt them out of gold-plated workplace pension schemes and into personal plans. We’ve explored whether you should consider taking a final salary pension, as well as the benefits and drawbacks of withdrawing.

What is a final salary pension?

A final salary pension, sometimes referred to as a gold-plated pension, is a special style of retirement fund that is based on your final or average salary.

The main difference between this and a defined contribution pension is that a final salary scheme gives you a guaranteed sum annually for the rest of your life when you retire.

To work out the value of your final salary scheme, consider a few factors: 

  1. Your final or average salary at your place of employment (confirm this with your employer)
  2. Your length of service
  3. The final salary scheme’s accrual rate (this is often 1/80th)

Your final salary pension will take each factor into account, and the resulting figure will be the guaranteed annual sum you are entitled to.

For instance, if you worked somewhere for ten years, and leave on a salary of £100,000, with an accrual rate of 1/80th, you will have a guaranteed retired annual income of £12,500.

It is possible to undertake a final salary pension transfer. Depending upon how long you expect to enjoy retirement, this could be a favourable choice. However, it’s important to consult a financial advisor to make your final salary pension transfer values work harder.

What are the benefits of transferring a final salary pension?

Assessing your final salary pension transfer value, you might consider it worthwhile to withdraw. We’ve outlined the main benefits of taking your final salary pension:

Receive the cash value of your final salary pension

Withdrawing from a final salary scheme allows you to receive a cash lump sum in return for forfeiting your guaranteed income in retirement. This final salary pension transfer value is the main reason to withdraw from a scheme, as it offers you financial freedom.

Remove ties with your employer

This is an especially important point if you’re concerned that your employer may not exist throughout your full retirement. For most, the pension protection fund (PPF) will cover your pension, but, for especially high earners, there is a PPF ceiling of £41,461 (as of April 2020).

Enjoy a flexible income in your retirement

A final salary scheme entitles you to a guaranteed annual income when you retire, but if you go down the route of transferring your final salary pension you will be able to enjoy a little more flexibility in how you receive your income. Usefully, by withdrawing from your final salary scheme, you can choose to take more out in your younger years.

Choose how you want to invest your pension

A final salary scheme is controlled tightly to accommodate all employees and their interests. When withdrawing from the scheme, however, you can take complete control over how your pension fund is invested.

The considerations you should make before transferring your final salary pension

While there are certainly benefits of going down the route of transferring final salary pension funds into various other pots, it’s important to consider what you’ll be giving up:

  • Entitlement to a fixed annual income for the rest of your life
  • A safe income that doesn’t fluctuate with volatile markets and share prices
  • Spousal and family benefits that come with a final salary scheme

 Example: Should I cash in my final salary pension?

An example is Mrs Dee (not her real name), 4 years ago she asked for her final salary transfer values, which came in at £250,000 – a nice sum, you may think. After reviewing all the facts and figures available, however, I advised Mrs Dee to leave her final salary pension where it was, which she duly did.

Towards the end of last year, because of favourable market conditions, I applied again to see the value of transferring her final salary . This one came in at just under £600,000.

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Whilst France is one of the most popular destinations for expats to move and settle in, it is also notoriously difficult to navigate in terms of tax efficiency and financial planning. To avoid large tax liabilities, it is a good idea to consider your options beforehand; consulting a financial adviser with the relevant local knowledge […]

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