Guide · Retirement
Do you need a financial adviser for early retirement?
Early retirement is usually a cash-flow problem before it is an investment problem: can your assets fund the years before later pension income arrives?
Plan the years before later pension income
Someone retiring early may need to fund spending before State Pension or other pension income begins. That can require cash, ISAs, investments and pensions to be coordinated.
Investment risk changes when withdrawals begin
A portfolio that looked appropriate while accumulating money may need to support regular withdrawals. The timing of poor investment returns can matter more once spending starts.
What should the adviser model?
SpendingEssential and discretionary spending over time.
Income datesWhen State Pension, defined benefit pensions or other income begins.
TaxHow different accounts are used across tax years.
FlexibilityWhat happens if markets fall, inflation is higher or you spend more than planned?
One-off planning may be enough for some people
If the main need is testing affordability and building a withdrawal plan, compare a defined piece of advice with an ongoing service before committing to recurring fees.
Sources & further reading