Retiring
Retirement isn't the end of financial planning - it's the beginning of a new phase. The decisions you make about drawdown rates, estate structure and income sources in the first few years will determine whether your wealth lasts your lifetime and beyond.
The Big Decision
Living annuity vs. life annuity
This is the most consequential decision you'll make at retirement - and it's largely irreversible once made.
Living Annuity
You retain control of investments and drawdown rate. Flexible, with capital passing to heirs on death - but you carry all longevity and investment risk.
Life (Guaranteed) Annuity
An insurance company guarantees income for life regardless of how long you live. No investment risk, but no flexibility, no capital legacy and income can erode with inflation.
Understand the Risks
What can derail a well-funded retirement
Even substantial retirement savings can be eroded. Understanding these risks early allows you to build defences into your strategy.
Drawing too much, too early
An unsustainable drawdown rate in your first years of retirement can permanently deplete your capital - even if markets perform well later.
Sequence of returns risk
Poor market returns in your first 5 years of retirement can cause irreversible damage to your capital, regardless of long-term averages.
Inflation and longevity
Your purchasing power halves roughly every 12 years at typical inflation rates. An income that feels comfortable at 65 may be inadequate by 77 - and you may well live to 85.
Your retirement strategy should be as unique as your career was.
The right annuity structure, drawdown rate, estate restructuring and tax planning all depend on your specific circumstances - your asset base, your income needs, your family situation and your risk tolerance. We'll build a retirement plan tailored to you.
Retire With Confidence
Make your wealth last - and leave a legacy.
Let's review your retirement position, optimise your drawdown strategy and restructure your estate to protect your family for the long term.