Pension advice in Brentwood

Starting out

If you’re in your twenties or thirties, your pension has decades to grow, which makes the early decisions the ones that count most. Few people realise they can choose something other than the default fund their employer picked. It may be fine, or it may be more cautious than someone with thirty years to go needs. Getting it right early, and making sure you get every pound your employer will put in, can make a real difference by the time you retire. You don’t need a lot of money to start, just a plan.

Finding your old pensions

I’ll track down every pension you’ve built up, find out what each one is worth, what it costs you each year and how it’s invested. The chasing is done by me, not you. Providers can take weeks to reply, and that’s my problem to deal with.

Should you combine them?

Often, yes. Pensions spread across several providers tend to get forgotten. Bring them together and you have one pension you can actually focus on: one statement, one investment plan, one figure that tells you how you’re doing. It’s far easier to make good decisions about one pension than about five.

It matters even more from April 2027, when most unused pensions will count for inheritance tax. If you die, your family has to track down every pot, deal with each provider, and decide for each one whether to take a lump sum or keep it invested. That’s a lot to ask of people who are grieving. One pension, with your wishes kept up to date, makes it far simpler for them. More on inheritance tax planning →

It isn’t right for every pension. A few older ones carry guarantees or extra tax-free cash worth keeping, so I check each one before anything moves.

How your pension is invested

I’ll show you how your pension is invested and what you’re paying for it each year, whether that still fits how long you have until you retire, and how much risk you’re comfortable taking. If a self-invested personal pension (SIPP) would suit you better, I’ll explain why, and what it would cost.

Final salary pensions

I don’t advise on transferring out of final salary (defined benefit) pensions. If you have one, I’ll make sure it’s counted in your plan, and I can refer you to a specialist if a transfer needs looking at.

What it costs

You’ll see the full cost, in pounds, before you decide anything, and you pay nothing until your plan is put in place. See exactly what advice costs →

Questions people ask

How do I find an old pension?

You can use the government’s free Pension Tracing Service to find a provider’s contact details. I go further: I contact each provider for you and get the full picture, including charges and any guarantees, so you can compare them properly.

Can I combine my workplace pension while I’m still working there?

Usually not the one you’re paying into now. You can normally bring your older pensions together, and your current workplace pension can be reviewed as part of the plan.