The question, ‘Have I saved enough to retire?’ is a difficult one. It requires a lot of information about you, your family, and your income needs in retirement. Also, to understand the various financial vehicles available for saving and investing before it can be answered definitively.

It’s hard to know exactly how much you’ll need in later life because everyone has different circumstances and different expectations. But by planning how much you’ll need, and working out how best to build up your pension pot, you’ll be in a better position to live your best life in later life.

Most people know they should save money to fund their retirement. But they may not know, however, how much money they should be saving in order to retire comfortably. So what should you consider?

Q: What will my life look like when I retire?

While this might seem obvious, it’s easy to forget about all of the little details when thinking about retiring, or what your daily life will look like after retirement. Your budget is aimed at having a certain standard of living now, while working. Will that standard of living carry over into your retirement years? Will you need to scale back? Or will you be able to enjoy more of the finer things in life after you retire?

Q: How much am I currently saving towards retirement each month or year?

This is always a good metric to know how well your current savings are holding up, especially since you can compare it with other metrics later on. Saving early means your money is invested for longer and has more time to grow . Also, any returns your savings make are reinvested and have a chance to grow too. If you know how much money is being put away for retirement now, it’s easier to estimate how long it will take before that particular goal has been reached.

Q: How much would my daily life change if I had less income coming in?

By looking at your current income and expenditure, you can start to get a picture of what life would look like with a smaller income. Your expenses will likely decrease as you retire if it’s only necessary to pay for the essentials, such as housing, food and utilities. You may be able to save more or spend more on things that make you happy (within reason). If most of your lifestyle doesn’t change much after retirement, chances are that you’re doing all right with your savings. But be mindful that people are living longer than ever, and that will create some challenges for retirees.

Q: How long will my money last in retirement?

This is where it starts getting complicated because there are several questions involved: How much money do we plan to live on each month (that includes any and all expenses)? How long will that money need to support us? How much income do we expect to have throughout retirement? It may take several years of research, but being aware of your ‘magic number’ for retirement is a good way to see how well you are doing with saving. Turning your dreams into reality will take careful planning and budgeting. Once you’ve got a good idea of your life expectancy, pension pot and any other retirement income, we can help you make an informed decision about when the right time to start your retirement is likely to be.

Q: How certain am I that my savings are enough?

No one has an exact answer as to how much money they should be saving towards retirement – everyone’s situation is different. Knowing your savings certainly can help you better understand whether or not it’s enough for your needs. This metric may require some thinking about what type of lifestyle you want in the future, what expenses will change or go away, and how long you might live if nothing changes. Retirement can be a long time, so it’s important to think about how you plan to spend your golden years. The common perception is that you’ll need between half and two-thirds of the final salary you had when you were working, after tax, to maintain your lifestyle once you retire. However, it is important to remember that the exact amount will depend on your personal circumstances and goals.

NEED HELP PUTTING A RETIREMENT PLAN IN PLACE, AND KEEPING IT ON TRACK?

If it looks like what you have won’t cover the lifestyle you want in retirement or you want to review your current retirement plan, speak to us. We’ll give you peace of mind by helping you put a plan in place. We’ll keep it on track, so you can make the most of your retirement. Don’t delay, please contact us if you require further information.

To discuss any of the issues raised in this article, please contact your adviser, or call us directly on 0161 819 1131. Further information can also be found at gov.uk.

Personal circumstances differ and not all of this information is applicable to every client and/or their business, this information is general in nature and should not be relied upon without seeking specific professional financial advice.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) does not regulate tax advice, estate planning, trusts or will writing.

The content in this article is for your general information and use only and is not intended to address your particular requirements. Articles should not be relied upon in their entirety and shall not be deemed to be, or constitute, advice.

Although endeavours have been made to provide accurate and timely information, there can be no guarantee that such information is accurate as of the date it is received or that it will continue to be accurate in the future. No individual or company should act upon such information without receiving appropriate professional advice after a thorough examination of their particular situation. We cannot accept responsibility for any loss as a result of acts or omissions taken in respect of any articles.

Thresholds, percentage rates and tax legislation may change in subsequent finance acts. Levels and bases of, and reliefs from, taxation are subject to change and their value depends on the individual circumstances of the investor. The value of your investments can go down as well as up and you may get back less than you invested. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results.

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