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Photo of client Alan

Alan's story

Alan uses our tools and research to help him manage his families HL accounts. He also speaks to our knowledgeable helpdesk to get answers to his questions.

Please note: This case study is not personal advice. If you’re not sure what’s best for your situation, ask for financial advice.

"I’m 53 and I’m hoping to retire early at either age 55 or 57. My pension savings will support me to do that. I have a final salary pension from my time in the army, as well as my HL accounts. I have an HL Stocks and Shares ISA and an HL Self-Invested Personal Pension (SIPP). My children and wife also have HL SIPPs which I manage for them.

HL have given me the ability to put everything in one place. The reason I stay with HL is the easy ability to invest. In terms of the actual support and customer service, I find that far better than anyone else. I think of HL as the Waitrose of the financial world. They are good value and provide me with a good service. The reason I chose the HL SIPP is that it gave me the flexibility to pick and choose the funds I wanted in a far more managed way, with a greater variety of funds than I got from my old pension providers.

I had a number of pensions held elsewhere that I moved into my SIPP, so I’ve consolidated everything into one place. This means I can see what I’ve got in one area. When I opened my account with HL, I was about 25. HL has influenced my retirement planning. I am in a better place now in terms of information and understanding of what my portfolio is, and what options I’ve got. Now I can make informed decisions.

My children are 14 and 17 and they’ve also both got Junior SIPPs with HL. I started investing for them in 2011 and I saved the maximum into their accounts each year. It’s a really good way for me to future proof their future.

I also open an HL SIPP for my wife because it’s a really good way of me giving her financial security if anything happens to me. It gives me peace of mind knowing that I can invest my money in her. Because I can see everything in one place, both mine, my wife’s, and my children’s accounts, I’ve got a really good broad picture of where we are financially as a household.

I read blogs from HL to do with risk and diversification, so I feel very well informed. I also read the emails that come through about new share insights and research. I’ve also read lots of HL’s articles including topics around how much you need in retirement to achieve a certain standard of living. I think HL gives me an element of reassurance in their professionalism and educated opinion that some other websites don’t have. HL is a well-established firm with a good reputation which presents itself well and has a professional feel. You can speak to them on the phone, and you get someone who speaks clearly, and very simply. Nothing is a problem. I always get the answers I need. I rely on them and trust them.

I’ve also used HL's interactive calculators. I’m able to get pension predictions and find out how much annuity income I could get. I’ve recommended HL to my neighbour. He’s a farmer and he had heard that HL was good and asked for my opinion. "

Top tips

"My top tips would be to start thinking about investing early, whether it’s for yourself or your children or grandchildren. It’s a really good way to future proof things. Realistically is there going to be much state support in the future. Who knows. I also try and put a little bit of money away for myself each month into my ISA. This gives me the flexibility to retire at 55 rather than work until 75."

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Investing for children

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