Sarah's story
Sarah took financial advice to navigate her pension options and build a more secure financial foundation for her and her family's future.
"I've been an HL client for over a decade, probably close to 15 years now."
"This past year, I took a crucial step in my financial journey by reaching out to my financial adviser Nick, to discuss my retirement strategy."
"Over the last 12 months, Nick has been instrumental in guiding me through these choices, especially as I had to access my retirement funds earlier than expected due to my husband’s health issues."
"Nick's advice has been invaluable in understanding the risks around my pension and making informed decisions about drawing an income from it. With so much at stake in securing my financial future, having professional support has truly made a difference."
Defining my financial goals
"In terms of my goals, I’m working toward establishing a continuous income stream for my husband and I. I’m about three years away from being eligible for the State Pension, and Nick helped me shape a plan to cover both our essential and long-term financial needs."
"Right now, I’m setting aside 25% of my assets to pay off debts and plan a big holiday while making sure my annuity will cover most of our essential expenses."
My financial situation before advice
"I’m not expecting a lavish lifestyle in retirement - I'm a fan of simple pleasures like taking long walks, which cost nothing. But I want to lead a comfortable life. Before taking advice, I often wondered if what I’ve saved was enough for retirement. It’s been a relief to have a strategy in place and to know that my retirement pot will last as long as I need it to."
Why I took financial advice
"Seven years ago, I stopped working, and though I had a good income before that, I’ve relied on my husband financially since then. My SIPP continued to grow, but as retirement approached, I knew it was time to de-risk my investments. Nick guided me through this transition. I've been lucky, staying ahead of the curve, and now I feel I have a stable financial foundation for the future."
I'm also a naturally cautious person, so I felt it was essential to talk with someone experienced as I approached retirement. I wanted reassurance that I was making the right decisions, and working with Nick has certainly provided that peace of mind.
The impact of advice on my financial concerns
"After working with Nick, my financial concerns have dramatically decreased. I now feel massively reassured about my future. Following his guidance, I made the decision to begin drawing on my pension just before Christmas, which felt like a major milestone. I hadn’t initially considered taking out an annuity, but Nick advised it could be a good option to help me avoid a substantial drop in my pension pot. The ups and downs of investment can be nerve-wracking, and an annuity pays a guaranteed income no matter what."
The value of the advice received
"Retirement planning can feel overwhelming, but working with Nick has made me feel much more at ease about my future. I initially felt hesitant about approaching an adviser, but I’ve always trusted HL as a company, and Nick’s personable approach made everything feel comfortable and straightforward. Nick asked detailed questions to truly understand my goals and even brought up issues I hadn’t considered, helping me think holistically about my retirement. When I had doubts or "wobbles" along the way, he was consistently reassuring and always at the end of the phone."
"We’ve had several Zoom calls and regular emails, and he’s always been responsive to my questions. I’ve even been able to reach him through texts, which makes him feel accessible and approachable whenever I need guidance."
Fees and overall satisfaction
"As for the fees, I found them to be very reasonable for the services provided. Overall, my experience has been extremely positive, and I’m truly grateful for the peace of mind I now have. I’m more relaxed about my financial future, and my confidence has grown considerably."
"My financial advisor, Nick, was very down to earth. From the very beginning, I felt completely comfortable talking to him. I felt like we got on and that’s really important when talking about your finances and personal situation."
Would I recommend HL financial advice?
"Absolutely. I believe anyone facing retirement should consider professional advice to make the most of their pension. For those unsure, I would emphasise three things: do it - it's worth every penny for the peace of mind; keep an open mind throughout the process; and be prepared to listen and learn."
CLIENT STORIES
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Khalid recently invested in the HL Ready-Made Pension Plan. A simple low-cost investment solution managed by HL experts.
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Andrew invests monthly to benefit from compound growth. This strategy could turn a small savings pot into a significant amount when left untouched.
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Helen started investing with HL to take control of her financial future. She uses HL’s tools, insights, and helpdesk to help make her own investment decisions.
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Joanna is a sole trader who recently opened an HL Lifetime ISA (LISA) to help her save for retirement.
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Haydn transferred his pensions to HL to make managing his money easier.
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Christopher used the HL website to help him retire early. With HL he’s able to manage all his wealth under one roof.
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Naveed saves in an HL SIPP alongside his workplace pension to help him reach his desired retirement age.
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Alan uses our tools and research to help him manage his family's HL accounts. He also speaks to our knowledgeable helpdesk to get answers to his questions.