Guide · Retirement
Should you see a financial adviser five years before retirement?
Five years before retirement can be early enough to change course and close enough for the plan to become concrete.
Why five years can be useful
At this stage you may have clearer retirement dates, pension values and spending expectations while still having time to adjust contributions, cash reserves or investment risk.
What should be reviewed?
Retirement dateIs it affordable and how flexible is it?
SpendingWhat income will the household actually need?
PensionsHow do different pensions and State Pension timing fit together?
Investment riskDoes the portfolio still match when withdrawals are getting closer?
Do you definitely need advice?
No. Free guidance may be enough for some people. Advice becomes more useful where pensions, investments, tax wrappers or household decisions are more complex or you want a personalised recommendation.
You may not need five years of ongoing fees
Ask whether the work can be completed as a one-off plan or whether there is a genuine need for continuing annual advice before and after retirement.
Sources & further reading