Client Profile – Couple with multiple pension pots seeking clarity and a path to early retirement.

The Challenge: Consolidating Pension Pots and Planning for the Future

The clients had several pension pots from various employers, each performing differently, and wanted to ensure they were on track for a comfortable retirement. Their main concerns were:

• Uncertainty about their finances after retirement: Multiple pension statements and accounts made it difficult to visualise their future financial situation.
• Affording early retirement: They were unsure if an early retirement was financially feasible.

They needed expert guidance to consolidate their pensions, streamline their investments, and gain confidence in their financial future.

Why They Chose Astute Financial Planning

The couple was introduced to Sarah through a trusted friend who highly recommended her services. From their first meeting, Sarah demonstrated:

• A deep understanding of their financial situation and personal goals.

• An ability to present complex financial information in a clear, jargon-free way.

• A tailored approach that gave the clients confidence in her expertise.

The Solution: Consolidating and Clarifying Pension Pots

Sarah undertook an in-depth analysis of the couple’s pensions and presented a clear plan to:

• Consolidate pensions that were underperforming or charging high fees.
• Transfer funds into more suitable investments aligned with their retirement goals.
• Regularly review and update their plan to ensure they stayed on course.

The process was managed efficiently, with minimal effort required from the clients. Regular updates and communication provided continued reassurance and clarity.

The Outcome: Confidence in Early Retirement

The couple successfully achieved their objectives:

• They now have a clear and accurate picture of their likely financial situation in retirement.

• They feel confident about their ability to retire early.

• Regular updates ensure they stay on track and can adjust their strategy if needed.

“We have a clear picture of our likely financial situation for our retirement and receive regular updates to ensure we remain on track. The process was smooth and easy, giving us total confidence in our plans.”

What They Enjoyed Most

The client valued Sarah’s ability to:

• Understand their goals and circumstances.

• Tailor advice and updates specifically to their situation.

• Simplify complex processes and provide reassurance every step of the way.

“The information and updates provided are always clear to understand and specifically tailored to suit us.”

Core Values in Action

The couple successfully achieved their objectives:

• Trust: The couple trusted Sarah, from the outset, knowing she understood their unique needs.

• Compassion: Sarah’s empathetic approach helped the couple feel supported and reassured.

• Respect: Tailored solutions demonstrated a deep respect for their individual circumstances.

• Learning: Jargon-free communication empowered the clients to fully understand their financial plan.

“Anyone looking for clarity in their finances or wanting to ensure they’re getting the most from their investments would benefit from Sarah’s expertise. If we ever need additional financial services, Sarah will be our first port of call.”

The value of investments, pensions and the income they produce can fall as well as rise. You may get back less than you invested.

Client Profile – Pensioner with limited income needing help to purchase a reliable car.

The Challenge: Replacing a 17-Year-Old Car

The client had relied on their 17-year-old car for over 15 years but recognised it was time for a replacement before it became unreliable. However, being on a limited income posed significant challenges:

• The cost of a new car exceeded their meagre savings.
• They faced the upsetting possibility of selling sentimental treasures, such as their late mother’s jewellery, to cover the expense.
• Using savings would deplete their emergency fund, which they relied on for unexpected expenses.

The financial and emotional strain was overwhelming, and the client needed a solution that avoided monthly repayments or incurring interest on the purchase price.

Why They Chose Astute Financial Planning

As a long-time client, the client trusted Sarah’s ability to navigate their financial concerns with empathy and expertise. They valued her for:

• Providing sound, trustworthy advice tailored to their needs.

• Being a sympathetic listener who truly understood their personal and financial circumstances.

• Bringing both professionalism and a personal touch to financial decision-making.

The Solution: A Stress-Free Financial Plan

Sarah approached the situation with care and reassurance, creating a solution that addressed both the client’s financial and emotional concerns. Key steps included:

• Reassuring the client that their situation was solvable without causing stress or negatively impacting their life.
• Organising the sale of a proportion of the client’s investment funds.
• Liaising directly with Fidelity Investments to ensure a quick, seamless transaction.

• Ensuring the funds were made available promptly to allow the client to purchase the car and clear their credit card balance by the end of the month.

The Outcome: A New Car and Renewed Confidence

The client successfully purchased a new car without financial stress, preserving their emergency savings and avoiding debt repayments. They described the experience as life-changing:

“It’s as though I’ve been gifted my lovely new car. I know it’s my money, but it’s made no difference to my daily life, and I have no debt repayment commitment.”

The result brought immense happiness and relief, transforming what once seemed like an insurmountable challenge into a rewarding and empowering experience.

Client Feedback

“I really enjoyed your calming, reassuring influence. From not thinking I could afford the purchase, you gave me the green light to go ahead with confidence. You lifted my spirits totally.”

The client praised Sarah’s ability to combine financial expertise with genuine care and understanding, turning a stressful situation into a positive and empowering experience.

Core Values in Action

Trust: The client felt completely confident in Sarah’s advice and guidance.

Compassion: Sarah’s calming and empathetic approach helped ease emotional strain.

Respect: By tailoring the solution to the client’s unique needs, Sarah demonstrated a deep respect for their personal and financial circumstances.

Learning: Sarah’s clear, jargon-free communication empowered the client to feel in control of their finances.

The value of investments, pensions and the income they produce can fall as well as rise. You may get back less than you invested.

Client Profile – Financial services professional planning for retirement.

The Challenge: A Clear Path to Retirement

In 2017, the client began planning for an early-to-mid-2020s retirement. With two personal pension pots accumulated over a career in financial services since 1983, they needed a detailed strategy to consolidate their finances and transition from full-time work into a secure and comfortable retirement.

Their primary concerns were:

Integrity: Working with someone trustworthy.

Trust: Confidence in the advice provided.

Experience: Guidance from someone with a proven track record.

Relationship: A partnership built on understanding and clear communication.

Why They Chose Astute Financial Planning

The client was introduced to Sarah through a trusted professional relationship with a colleague who had previously implemented a similar retirement strategy. This recommendation, paired with Sarah’s reputation for expertise, approachability, and clear communication, built the foundation for a successful partnership.

The Solution: A Tailored Retirement Strategy

After a series of face-to-face discussions and ongoing communication, Sarah created a personalised retirement plan. The strategy took into account the client’s:

• Existing pension pots and their potential.
• Retirement timeline and desired lifestyle goals.
• Risk appetite and financial independence needs.

The plan was put into action in 2017, with regular reviews to ensure it remained on track.

The Outcome: Early Retirement and a New Chapter

Thanks to the strategy implemented, the client retired confidently in April 2022. They now enjoy life as a fully retired “pensioner,” free from the pressures of a demanding sales role. The plan provided the clarity and security they needed to make the transition seamless.

Client Feedback

“Sarah, you are knowledgeable, always available, speak plain English, and get things done. The strategy we implemented went completely to plan, and I am 100% satisfied with the outcome. I’m now living the life I dreamed of in retirement.”

The client appreciated Sarah’s expertise and her ability to simplify complex financial details. They felt supported throughout the process and completely satisfied with the outcome.

Core Values in Action

Trust: The client felt confident in Sarah’s ability to deliver on promises.

Compassion: A genuine partnership built on understanding the client’s goals and concerns.

Respect: Open communication and a collaborative approach ensured the client was always informed and comfortable.

Learning: Sarah’s ability to explain financial matters in plain English made the process accessible and empowering.

The value of investments, pensions and the income they produce can fall as well as rise. You may get back less than you invested.