Keeping you informed throughout retirement
The range of financial advice companies under the umbrella brand Responsible have launched a Debt Management and Advice Company, Responsible Debt Help.
As with all Responsible divisions, great emphasis will be placed on personalisation and giving the customer advice that fits their personal circumstances – all with the verb responsibly on the mind.
With the minimum age to receive a state pension set to increase to 65 for women, coupled with increased life expectancies for UK residents, the need to plan effectively for your retirement has never been greater.
The government must continue to raise awareness about effective retirement planning for those under the age of 40. For those 40 and above, however, awareness needs to be turned into action.
Here are 4 great tips to get your mind thinking:
1. Investing in a pension early on can get you in the right frame of mind later on in life. Having budgeted for pension payments throughout your life, the habit will ensure that you don’t miss this money as much as you would otherwise. The dramatic effect of compound interest over the years will ensure you have an ample nest-egg to see you through your retired years comfortably.
2. Keep yourself up to date with the facts on a regular basis. The two biggest facts you need to know when planning your retirement are:
Your state pension entitlement – and when it becomes effective
3. Explore other options when it comes to retirement planning. The key to a successful and comfortable retirement is diversification. Look out for safe property investments, utilise your ISA and National Saving allowances, be proactive in managing your deposit accounts to get the best interest rates,
4. Take an active stance about your pension management. Ask questions of your planners. Become knowledgable about the jargon (to a certain extent) and you will find yourself a lot more willing to get involved.
Reports from the retirement finance writers suggest that, beginning next month, up to 185,000 women will be told by the Pensions Service that they should expect to receive their pension up to one year later than the usual age of 60.
For the first time since its inception, the minimum age for female pensions – currently set at 60 – will be going up for those born on or after 6th April 1950. It seems this change will be rolled out in steps of 12 for those born between 6th April 1950 and 5th April 1955. Those who are born after the 5th of April 1955 will not get their state pension until they turn 65, at the very earliest.
One imagines the government’s hand has been forced by the ever-increasing life expectancy in the UK. If their hand has been forced, then, pragmatically, they must follow this action up with increased public awareness about the importance of private pensions.