When you’re in your 20s, planning for retirement can seem like a distant and irrelevant concept. Between student loans, rent, and saving for immediate goals like travel or buying your first home, it’s easy to put pensions on the back burner. But the reality is that the earlier you start pension planning, the better positioned you’ll be for long-term financial security.

At Fogwill & Jones, we work with clients of all ages to help them prepare for their future. For those under 30, taking steps now can dramatically improve the quality of your retirement years, thanks to the power of compounding growth and strategic saving. As independent financial planners, we offer tailored advice to make pension planning simple, efficient, and rewarding.

Why Start Early?

One of the most compelling reasons to begin pension planning in your 20s is compound interest – the concept of earning interest not only on your savings but also on the already accumulated interest. The earlier you begin contributing to your pension, the more time your money has to grow.

Example:

Sarah starts saving £200 a month into her pension at age 25.

Tom delays saving until he’s 35 but contributes £300 a month to make-up for lost time.

By retirement age (67), Sarah could have a pension pot worth around £340,000, assuming 5% annual growth.

Despite contributing more each month, Tom’s pension pot could be worth only £270,000.

The key takeaway? Starting early, even with small contributions, can have a significant impact on your overall pension savings.

The Benefits of Pension Planning in Your 20s

Employer Contributions: If you’re employed, it’s likely your workplace offers a pension scheme. Under auto-enrolment rules, employers must contribute to your pension alongside your own savings. It’s essentially free money towards your retirement, so don’t miss out!

Tax Relief on Contributions: The government provides tax relief on pension contributions, making your savings even more efficient. For every £80 you put into your pension, the government adds £20 (basic rate relief), which instantly boosts your contributions.

Long-Term Financial Freedom: Planning for retirement early allows you to control your future financial independence. Starting early means you’ll need to save less overall each month to reach your target, giving you flexibility as life evolves.

Access to Expert Financial Planning: By working with independent advisors like Fogwill & Jones, you’ll receive a clear, actionable plan tailored to your lifestyle, goals, and circumstances. From understanding your pension scheme to exploring investment opportunities, we ensure your strategy is both effective and flexible.

How Fogwill & Jones Can Help

At Fogwill & Jones, we specialise in helping clients secure their financial future. For those under 30, our approach focuses on clear, actionable steps:

Maximise Employer Contributions: We review your workplace pension options to ensure you’re making the most of any employer contributions available to you.

Optimise Your Savings: Our advisors can help you identify how much to save each month to meet your retirement goals without sacrificing your current lifestyle.

Invest Wisely for Long-Term Growth: With decades ahead, your pension savings have time to ride out market fluctuations. We help you allocate your pension investments to maximise growth while managing risk.

Plan for Changing Circumstances: Your career and life goals will change over time. We ensure your pension strategy evolves with you, whether you change jobs, become self-employed, or take a career break.

Case Study: Helping Tom Build His Pension Early

Tom, a 28-year-old marketing executive, came to Fogwill & Jones unsure about his pension contributions. After a review, we discovered he wasn’t taking full advantage of his workplace scheme, and his contributions were below the recommended level for his age.

Our solution:

• We increased Tom’s contributions to match his employer’s offering, which effectively doubled his monthly savings.
• We invested his pension pot in a growth-focused portfolio designed for long-term returns.
• We set a realistic savings target to help Tom achieve a comfortable retirement without affecting his current financial priorities.

By acting now, Tom boosted his pension savings trajectory and is on track to achieve financial independence by retirement age.

Don’t Delay Your Future

Pension planning might not seem urgent when you’re under 30, but the decisions you make today will shape your financial future. Starting early gives you more flexibility, better returns, and less stress down the line.

At Fogwill & Jones, we help clients take control of their pensions and plan for the future they want. Whether you’re just starting your career or looking to review your savings strategy, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.

For personalised pension advice, contact us on 01142 588899 or visit our website. Secure your future now, and let us help you achieve your retirement goals with confidence.

Investing is a crucial step towards building long-term financial security, but simply creating an investment plan and leaving it untouched can be risky. Financial markets, personal circumstances, and economic environments are constantly evolving, and your investment strategy needs to keep pace. Regular reviews of your investment plan ensure it remains aligned with your goals, risk tolerance, and changing life circumstances.

At Fogwill & Jones, we help our clients regularly review and optimise their investment strategies, ensuring they remain on track to achieve their financial objectives while adapting to changes in the market and in their personal lives.

Why Regular Investment Reviews Matter

Your Goals Can Change: As life progresses, your financial goals may evolve. Whether you’re saving for a home, planning for your children’s education, or preparing for retirement, your investment plan needs to reflect your current priorities. Regular reviews ensure your strategy adapts to your goals and life stage.

Market Conditions Fluctuate: Financial markets are dynamic, with periods of growth and volatility. A portfolio that was well-diversified and performed well last year may not be as effective in the current market environment. Regular reviews allow you to rebalance your portfolio, ensuring it remains resilient and aligned with your risk tolerance.

Risk Tolerance May Shift: Your attitude towards risk is likely to change over time. For example, as you approach retirement, you may prefer more stable, lower-risk investments. Conversely, younger investors might lean towards higher-growth opportunities. Regular reviews ensure your portfolio reflects your current risk appetite and investment timeline.

Taking Advantage of Opportunities: Markets present new opportunities all the time, whether in emerging sectors, tax-efficient vehicles, or strategic investments. Regular reviews enable you to identify and capitalise on these opportunities while adjusting your portfolio to avoid unnecessary risks.

Tax Efficiency: Tax regulations change, and ensuring your investments remain tax-efficient is crucial. Regular reviews can help identify opportunities to minimise your tax liabilities, such as using ISAs, pensions, or other tax-efficient investment vehicles.

How Fogwill & Jones Can Help

At Fogwill & Jones, we offer expert guidance and regular investment reviews to help our clients stay on track. Here’s how we can assist:

Comprehensive Portfolio Reviews: We conduct thorough reviews of your existing investments to assess performance, diversification, and risk exposure. Our advisors ensure your portfolio remains aligned with your goals and market conditions.

Rebalancing Your Portfolio: Over time, investments can drift from their original allocations due to market movements. We help you rebalance your portfolio to maintain the desired mix of assets, ensuring optimal performance and risk management.

Adapting to Life Changes: Whether you’re changing careers, starting a family, or preparing for retirement, our advisors ensure your investment plan evolves with your circumstances.

Maximising Tax Efficiency: We review your investments to identify tax-saving opportunities, such as maximising your ISA and pension allowances or utilising Capital Gains Tax exemptions.

Identifying New Opportunities: The financial landscape is constantly evolving, and we keep you informed about new opportunities to enhance your portfolio’s growth potential.

Case Study: Keeping Emma’s Investments on Track

Emma, a 40-year-old professional, originally invested in a growth-focused portfolio a decade ago to build wealth for her future. However, during a recent review with Fogwill & Jones, we identified several areas for improvement:

Rebalancing: Emma’s portfolio had become overly weighted in high-risk assets due to market gains. We rebalanced her investments to include a more diversified mix of equities and bonds.

Tax Efficiency: We moved part of her portfolio into ISAs to protect future growth from tax liabilities.

Aligning Goals: Emma’s focus had shifted towards saving for her children’s education. We adjusted her strategy to include specific investments targeting her new priorities.

By conducting a regular review, Emma’s investments are now aligned with her current goals and risk profile, positioning her for long-term success.

Don’t Leave Your Investments to Chance

An investment plan is not something you can set and forget. Regular reviews are essential to ensure your portfolio remains robust, efficient, and aligned with your goals. At Fogwill & Jones, our experienced advisors provide proactive, personalised guidance to help you optimise your investments and achieve financial security.

For a comprehensive investment review, contact us on 01142 588899 or visit our website. Let us help you keep your investment strategy strong, adaptive, and ready for the future.

Navigating life after taking voluntary severance and facing health challenges can be daunting, especially when it impacts financial stability. This case study highlights how a client sought professional financial advice after transitioning to a part-time business venture that didn’t fully cover their income needs. Robert Wilkinson, one of Fogwill & Jones’ expert advisors, provided tailored financial guidance, helping the client manage their investments and plan for a sustainable financial future. 

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser? 

‘I took voluntary severance from work, partly on health grounds. I set up a small private business to provide some ongoing income as I was some years from full retirement age. Owing to health conditions, I am only able to work part-time, and this doesn’t provide enough income. Robert’s colleague with whom I previously worked helped me set up some investments and later to access a small occupational pension and linked AVCs. Robert has recently taken over my affairs from his colleague.’ 

How has Robert Wilkinson helped you? 

‘Robert has performed the annual review of my investments, in the context of my current, broader financial circumstances. We have met and discussed this and, considering his advice, have planned investments for the coming year. I raised some questions and concerns about the narrow margin and occasional shortfall between my earnings and outgoings, and needing to use savings to bridge the gap. In particular, I am concerned how sustainable this position might be over the remaining years until my next modest occupational pension pot becomes available. Robert has prepared a cashflow report, which we will meet to consider together. Robert has also checked in with me about the benefits of setting up Lasting Powers of Attorney – something I have intended to do but needed a reminder to action!’ 

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for? 

‘I have only been working with Rob for a very short time so it’s too early to track outcomes from financial investments. But I’m very pleased with Robert’s work for me so far. I have found him very friendly, approachable, open and down to earth – easy to work with. He has been prompt and responsive in following issues up from meetings and discussions. It feels like he very quickly formed a useful ‘360 degree’ sense of where I am, where I want to be, and things that might be useful to consider. I have found this very reassuring.’ 

Conclusion 

This case study underscores the value of personalised financial advice during transitional life stages. Through proactive and empathetic engagement, we helped the client navigate immediate financial challenges and prepare for future needs. As the relationship progresses, the client looks forward to achieving sustainable financial outcomes, thanks to our comprehensive and client-focused approach.

Planning for retirement isn’t just about ensuring a steady income when you stop working – it’s also about making sure your wealth is preserved for your loved ones. A recent change announced in the UK Budget will have a significant impact on how pension savings are taxed after death. From 6 April 2027, any unused pension funds and death benefits left in your pension pot will be subject to Inheritance Tax (IHT).

At Fogwill & Jones, we believe that understanding and preparing for these changes is essential for protecting your wealth. We offer personalised retirement planning to help you navigate complex tax rules and maximise the value of your pension savings for yourself and your family.

What is Changing?

Under current rules, unused pension funds can be passed on to beneficiaries free from IHT. This has made pensions a tax-efficient way to transfer wealth. However, from April 2027, any remaining funds in your pension at the time of death will be included in your estate for IHT purposes.

If your total estate, including your pension, exceeds the inheritance tax (IHT) threshold, you may be subject to taxation. The standard threshold is £325,000 (or £650,000 for married couples or civil partners). On any amount above this threshold, a 40% tax rate applies. However, you can also benefit from the Residence Nil Rate Band (RNRB), which provides an additional £175,000 allowance on top of the £325,000.

Example:

David, 70, has a pension pot worth £600,000 and other assets worth £400,000. Today, his pension is exempt from IHT, and his estate of £1 million is largely protected. After April 2027, on the assumption that his asset worth £400,000 is his main residence, David would need to pay IHT on the remaining £600,000. This could result in an IHT bill of £200,000.

How Fogwill & Jones Can Help

At Fogwill & Jones, we specialise in helping individuals organise their retirement and estate plans to reduce unnecessary tax burdens. Here’s how we can assist:

Tailored Drawdown Strategies:

We can help you create a drawdown strategy that allows you to gradually withdraw from your pension in a tax-efficient manner, reducing the amount left unused and therefore subject to IHT.

Exploring Tax-Efficient Alternatives:

We can advise you on tax-efficient savings and investments, such as ISAs or family trusts, that fall outside the scope of IHT.

Estate Planning and Trusts:

We provide guidance on setting up trusts or using life insurance policies to cover potential IHT liabilities, ensuring your beneficiaries receive as much of your estate as possible.

Case Study: Securing Sarah’s Retirement and Legacy

Sarah, 65, recently retired with a pension pot of £800,000. She wanted to leave most of her pension to her children but was concerned about the new IHT rules.

With Fogwill & Jones’ guidance:

Sarah opted to withdraw funds gradually from her pension, investing part of it into a family trust. She also updated her will and took out a life insurance policy written in trust to cover any future IHT liabilities.

As a result, Sarah reduced her taxable estate and ensured that her children would receive more of her hard-earned savings.

Get Advice

The 2027 changes to pension tax rules make it more important than ever to have a clear retirement and estate plan. At Fogwill & Jones, we offer expert advice tailored to your unique financial situation, helping you minimise taxes and secure your family’s future.

To learn more about how we can help you navigate these changes, contact us today at 01142 588899 or visit our website.

The financial landscape is always evolving, and one of the key changes announced in the Autumn Budget affects Capital Gains Tax (CGT). From 30^th October 2024, there will be an increase in the main rates of Capital Gains Tax. Ensuring your savings and investments are held in the right places is now more critical than ever.

At Fogwill & Jones, we work closely with clients to optimise their investment portfolios, helping to minimise tax liabilities and maximise returns. One of the simplest ways to achieve this is by utilising tax-efficient investment vehicles such as Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs), which are not subject to CGT.

What’s Changing?

CGT has increased from 10% to 18% at the lower rate, and 20% to 24% at the higher rate. This change came into force immediately, meaning anyone who had sold assets with gains on the morning of the Budget (30 October 2024), will fall into the new rates.

This change could affect anyone with investments in shares, property (excluding primary residences), or other assets outside of tax-advantaged accounts. For higher-value investments, even modest gains could now lead to a tax liability.

Example:

James, an investor, sells shares and makes a £10,000 gain in 2023. Under the rules for 2023-24, £6,000 is exempt, and he only pays CGT on £4,000 – which would be a bill of £800 if he is a higher-rate taxpayer. From April 2024, his exemption falls to £3,000, meaning he will be taxed on £7,000 of his gain instead. If James is a higher-rate taxpayer and the gain was realised after 30th October 2024. he could face a CGT bill of £1,680 (24% on gains above the threshold).

How Fogwill & Jones Can Help

With the reduction in the CGT allowance, it’s vital to review where your investments are held. Fogwill & Jones can help you:

Maximise Your ISA Allowance:

ISAs are a powerful tool for shielding your investments from CGT. You can invest up to £20,000 per year in an ISA, and all capital gains, dividends, and interest within the ISA are tax-free.

Strategic Asset Allocation:                                               

We can help you diversify your investments across various tax-efficient accounts, including pensions, which offer tax advantages while you save for retirement.

Plan Your Gains:                                                                           

Timing is key when it comes to realising gains. We assist clients in spreading gains over multiple tax years, ensuring they make full use of the annual exemption and avoid unnecessary tax liabilities.

Explore Trusts and Other Structures:

For those with larger estates or complex investment needs, we can advise on setting up trusts or other structures to protect your wealth from excessive taxation.

Case Study: Helping Emma Reduce Her Tax Bill

Emma, a long-term investor, holds a mix of shares and a rental property. With the CGT changes looming, she consulted Fogwill & Jones to review her investment strategy.

Our solution:

We helped Emma transfer part of her portfolio into ISAs, protecting future gains from CGT. We advised her to stagger the sale of some shares across multiple tax years to spread out the tax liability and also set up a trust for her rental property to manage the tax implications effectively.

As a result, Emma reduced her exposure to CGT and positioned her portfolio for long-term growth without unnecessary tax burdens.

Get Advice

The reduction in the CGT allowance highlights the importance of proactive financial planning. Whether you’re an experienced investor or just starting to build your portfolio, Fogwill & Jones can help you protect your gains and grow your wealth in a tax-efficient manner.

For personalised advice, contact us at 01142 588899. Let us help you make the most of your investments​.