Why Consulting a Financial Planner is Important for Pensions & Investments
Thursday 17 July, 2025
Planning for the future has never been more important, especially with recent government changes affecting pensions and investments. Whether you are approaching retirement or looking to grow your wealth, expert guidance from a professional Financial Planner and Wealth Manager can make a significant difference.
In Bristol and the wider area, we have seen that individuals are increasingly turning to financial experts to seek advice for their long-term financial stability.
Navigating Government Changes and Their Impact
The UK government regularly updates pension regulations and tax allowances, affecting how people save for retirement and invest their money. The recent abolition of the Lifetime Allowance (LTA), for example, removes the previous cap on pension savings, allowing greater flexibility for high earners to save more tax-efficiently. However, the tax-free lump sum limit remains at £268,275 maximum (or 25% of your overall pension value, whichever is lower).
However, this change also brings complexities, particularly around taxation and how to optimise contributions effectively. A Financial Planner can help individuals understand these nuances and ensure they make the most of their pension savings.
Another significant change involves the State Pension triple lock, which guarantees that pensions rise in line with the highest of inflation, average earnings growth, or 2.5%. While this is positive for retirees, it also means that individuals need to factor in these adjustments when planning their retirement income.
A Wealth Manager can assess personal circumstances and create strategies to balance pensions with other investments to maximise financial security.
Types of Pension and Investment Options
When considering pensions, there are several pension options available which includes workplace pensions, self-invested personal pensions (SIPPs), and stakeholder pensions.
Workplace pensions are often part of retirement planning, benefiting from employer contributions and tax relief. SIPPs offer greater control over investment choices, allowing individuals to tailor their pension plans to their financial goals. Meanwhile, stakeholder pensions provide a simple and low-cost pension option suitable for those who prefer minimal management.
When it comes to investments, individuals can explore options such as stocks and shares ISAs, investment funds, government bonds, and property investment. Stocks and shares ISAs can provide tax-efficient growth, while diversified investment funds help spread risk. Government bonds offer stability, and property investment remains a popular choice for those seeking long-term returns.
Seeking the professional advice of a Wealth Manager can help identify the best options based on individual circumstances, ensuring a balanced approach to wealth growth and preservation.
The Benefits of Professional Financial Advice
With increasing economic uncertainties and fluctuating investment markets, making the right financial decisions can be challenging. Our professional Financial Planners can provide tailored advice, ensuring that pension contributions, investment portfolios, and tax planning strategies align with your long-term financial goals.
Mark Cornes, Financial Adviser based in Bristol, explains:
“Investing for the future isn’t just about picking the right funds or pension plans; it’s about having a strategy that adapts to government changes, economic shifts, and personal circumstances. A Wealth Manager can help you navigate these complexities, ensuring that your investments are working as hard as possible to secure your financial future.”
A key part of financial planning is also ensuring that wealth is effectively managed and protected for future generations. Estate planning, inheritance tax considerations, and sustainable investment options all play a role in a well-rounded financial strategy. Professional advisers bring expertise and market insights that help individuals in Yate and Bristol make informed decisions about their wealth.
Why Choose a Local Financial Expert?
Working with a Financial Planner who understands the specific needs of people ensures that advice is relevant, practical, and tailored to local economic conditions. Whether it’s setting up a pension, optimising tax efficiency, or structuring an investment portfolio, having an expert on hand provides peace of mind and a structured approach to long-term financial success.
If you are in Yate and are looking for professional guidance on pensions and investments, consulting Mark Cornes, our qualified Financial Adviser and Wealth Manager, is a smart decision. With evolving regulations and financial markets, expert advice is invaluable in securing a comfortable and prosperous future.
An ISA is a medium to long term investment, which aims to increase the value of the money you invest for growth or income or both.
The value of investments and any income from them can fall as well as rise and you may not get back the original amount invested.
HM Revenue and Customs practice and the law relating to taxation are complex and subject to individual circumstances and changes which cannot be foreseen.
Approved by The Openwork Partnership on 24/06/2025.
