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Giliker Flynn

Independent financial advice

Services - Retirement Advice

A retired couple looking towards a bright future

Can I afford to retire?

You probably want to retire as soon as you can, so you can enjoy doing all those things you've dreamed of, whilst being fit and well enough to do so. Afterall, you work to live, not live to work! But don't jeopardise those dreams by retiring too early. It's important to ensure your retirement plan is sustainable.

We'll help you maximise your quality time. Tailoring our advice entirely around you - the life you lead, the retirement you dream of, the pension pots available to you - we'll clarify your options, working out the earliest you can afford to retire into the kind of retirement you dream of.

Retirement planning with Giliker Flynn:

  • Work out when you can afford to retire, through cashflow modelling
  • Turn your pensions and savings into income
  • Balance the pros and cons of guaranteed versus flexible income
  • Make your withdrawals tax-efficient
  • Review your plan as life changes (an optional, ongoing service)

Approach retirement with clarity & confidence

It's hard to spend time imagining the end of the 9-to-5 when you're still in it - but it's worth dedicating some time in your pre-retirement to retirement planning so you can get in control and understand how your future is looking.

That way, when you get to the point of drawing your pension, you know exactly what resources you have available, to fund the retirement you're hoping for.

We believe in taking the complicated and making it clear, providing the calm in the chaos. After your initial consultation - which is free and no-obligation - we'll get to know you and your goals, and road-map your way into your retirement, on your terms.

Our retirement advice process

  1. 01

    It all starts with your free* initial consultation. Getting to know you, your financial situation, and your retirement goals, we’ll then explore your existing pensions and investment provisions, and do our due diligence.

  2. 02

    We’ll then search across the whole market, highlighting the best options for you. Each route will be clear and straight-forward, so you can make the choice that fits you best.

  3. 03

    Once you’re happy with your chosen option, we’ll implement it for you. Easy as that.

  4. 04

    An optional ongoing check-in can be arranged annually, to look-in on your finances, and tweak any goals.

*Your first consultation is free if you meet the qualifying fund threshold and we can provide a service match.

What it costs

We believe in transparent pricing. You'll know exactly how much our advice will cost you before you commit, and we calculate it on a percentage rate basis rather than a fixed fee.

What's more, it comes out of your pension pot rather than as a bill, so you'll never be confronted with an upfront fee.

Explore our Fees

Retirement advice near you

Our Head Office in Newcastle-under-Lyme provides retirement advice in nearby Stoke on Trent and across Staffordshire, Cheshire, and Shropshire too, serving clients both locally and from right across the UK.

“Chris listened to what retirement plans I had in mind. His advice and recommendations were completely tailored to my needs”
Kevin Bridgwood, Google review
Chris Flynn, Financial Adviser and co-Founder of Giliker Flynn

Getting to know…Chris Flynn

Who are you?
Chris Flynn, a Financial Adviser with 15+ years of experience and co-Founder of Giliker Flynn
What's your job?
A pension specialist, investment adviser and client advice expert, who also handles business management
What makes you tick?
Besides keeping our GF clients and team members happy, I love spending time with my wife Fran and two daughters, as well as playing golf and keeping fit at the gym. Fun fact: I'm a keen gardener and obsessed with putting stripes in my lawn.
Meet the Team

FAQs

01How much money do I need to retire?

This is subjective - based on individual or household expenditure. We have some clients who live a happy life on state pensions alone, but a comfortable combined annual retirement income for a UK-based couple is around £63,000 (or £35,000-£45,000 for someone living alone).

02When can I afford to retire?

You can retire when you’ve accumulated enough to cover your desired lifestyle (factoring in a realistic lifespan too), from your accumulated pensions, any investments, and your state pension. In the UK you can usually only access private pensions from age 55 (moving to 57 in April 2028), and the State pension from age 66.

03How do I turn my pension into a retirement income?

There are various ways to convert your pension into a retirement income, and we can help you navigate your options. To ensure a constant monthly income, you could use your pot to buy an annuity. This income is then guaranteed for the rest of your life (or an agreed period). Whether the market goes up or down, this income stays the same. However don’t disregard a more flexible option before committing - the key is to retire without any regrets!

04Will I pay tax on my retirement income?

Your State Pension is considered a taxable income, however you’ll only be taxed once over your tax-free personal allowance threshold (currently £12,570). Regarding private pensions, the first 25% is tax-free - whether you take that as a lump sum or in smaller installments (of which 25% will be tax-free and 75% taxable on each transaction).

See more information about investments
05What's the difference between guaranteed and flexible retirement income?

Guaranteed options such as annuities give you the security of a constant, lifelong (or period-specific) income. Flexible options like drawdown means your money stays invested, so it is subject to market change, for better or worse. These allow you to adjust your income as you see fit, and leave leftover sums to your loved ones.

See more retirement options explained
A member of the Giliker Flynn team ready to help

Time to start considering your retirement options?

We can help you put everything in place for a seamless transition into the retirement you've saved for. Contact us now to lay the foundations for the perfect post-work life!

01782 840 590
Book Your Free, No Obligation Consultation