Is your pension plan not working as you would like or is the problem that you just don’t know?
Either way you are not alone. A recent survey by Standard Life in Ireland came up with the conclusion that over 70% of pension savers either don’t read their annual pension statement or just scan it.
Perhaps this wasn’t as important before the recent “pension freedoms” changes.
The Chancellor in his 2014 budget statement when announcing some really big pension changes said:-
“People who have worked hard and saved hard all their lives, and done the right thing, should be trusted with their own finances”
The question is:- Can we be trusted with anything to which we are not paying attention?
Whether it is driving, looking after a child or just trying to keep our weight under control we really cannot be trusted to do the right thing if we are not paying attention. Over 70% of us are not reading our annual pension statements!! No wonder the results aren’t as good as we think they should be.
One problem is that most of the statements are completely incomprehensible and even if we spent hours studying them we would probably be none the wiser.
Fortunately the web is helping and often online valuations are more helpful. We will shortly be putting together a tutorial on how to read your pension statement. If you would like a copy just click the “book your call” box on the right and put “pension statement” in the subject box. We will let you know as soon as it is available.
The other alternative is to move your plans to one of the more user friendly online providers. Hargreaves Lansdown are our favourites. Future blogs will explain how to get the best from their services.
You do not need to spend much time on this or become a expert. Just by paying a little more attention there is every chance that your fund will grow quicker, you will save fees, and your retirement prospects will be much improved.
Future blogs will build on this theme of “paying attention” so make sure you don’t miss out by signing up for updates below.
No-one is going to pay as much attention as you. Not your employer, not your plan provider and not your adviser. It really is down to you. Can you be trusted with your financial future?
If you need some help to get started just check the box on the right to book a “start up” telephone conversation. It is not as scary as it sounds but you will need someone to guide you through all that gobbledygook.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
This document and our on going services are not personal advice. We'll give you all the help and guidance you need to make your investment and retirement decisions, but we can't advise you. If you're not sure whether you need regulated financial advice we can put you in touch with a suitably qualified and experienced regulated adviser. Because we are not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority you will not have access to the Financial Ombudsman Service in respect of any complaints. If you use one of the "no advice" on line services to handle investment transactions they will be Regulated and you will have access to the Ombudsman and The Financial Compensation Scheme in respect of their services. The value of investments/pension plans can fall or rise depending on market performance. The Retirement Team and The Investment and Retirement Coach are trading names of Capture Success Ltd Reg No 01825075 Tel 07770575122
