Retirement is one of life's biggest transitions and one of the most personal financial decisions you will ever make. Yet the question at the heart of it sounds deceptively simple: Can I afford to retire?
The truth is, much like markets navigating geopolitical tensions, the answer is not always straightforward. But with the right planning and a clear view of your finances, it is a question you can answer with confidence.
A Shifting Landscape
Retirement no longer means what it used to. People are living longer, working differently, and navigating a financial world that can change quickly. Rising inflation, interest rate changes, and new pension rules can all influence your plans. Global events can have an impact too, just as they affect oil prices and investment sentiment.
You cannot control markets or economic cycles, but you can prepare for them.
The Building Blocks of Retirement Readiness
At Albon Financial Planning, we do not believe in guesswork. We believe in clarity, modelling, and robust strategy.
When we help you answer "Can I afford to retire?" we look at the whole picture:
Your income needs: What will a comfortable retirement look like for you? What will it cost?
Your current assets: Pensions, ISAs, investments, property, and cash. What do you already have in place?
Your liabilities: Are there mortgages, loans, or other commitments to factor in?
State Pension and other entitlements: How do these contribute to your retirement income?
Life expectancy and inflation: How long will your money need to last, and how might costs change?
We model these elements over time using cautious assumptions. This lets you see not only where you stand today but also how sustainable your retirement might be, even if the world throws the occasional curveball.
From Complex Maths to Clear Answers
One of the most powerful tools we use is a detailed retirement sustainability report. It takes your financial information and tests it against 110 years of real economic history, using over 800 different market scenarios.
The maths is complex, but the result is simple: a clear percentage likelihood of whether your retirement plan is sustainable.
If you are on track, you gain the peace of mind that your plan can weather both good times and bad. If not, we work with you to find solutions, whether that means adjusting your retirement age, reviewing spending plans, or tailoring your investments to improve the odds.
Staying the Course in Volatile Times
External events, whether economic, political, or personal, can create noise. Oil prices might spike. Markets may react. But as we have seen with recent Middle East tensions, markets often settle once initial fears subside.
Retirement planning works in the same way. The key is not to overreact to headlines but to stay focused on the long-term plan. A well-built financial strategy is designed to absorb volatility and still deliver the outcome you need.
From Uncertainty to Confidence
Many clients come to us unsure of their position. They leave with clarity. Whether you are five years from retirement or already thinking about stepping back, we help you understand:
When you can afford to retire
What kind of lifestyle you can realistically support
How to use your pensions, savings, and other assets most effectively
Whether you need to make adjustments to reach your goals
With the right advice, you can move from uncertainty to peace of mind, knowing your decisions are based on data, not guesswork.
Let's Start the Conversation
If you are asking "Can I afford to retire?" you are already on the right path. The next step is to get clarity.
We are here to help you answer that question with confidence and to build a retirement plan that works, whatever the markets are doing.
Get in touch today to speak with Rory and take the first step towards a retirement you can truly look forward to.
Risk Warnings: The value of investments can fall as well as rise and you may not get back the amount originally invested
A pension is a long term investment the fund value may fluctuate and can go down. Your eventual income may depend upon the size of the fund at retirement, future interest rates and tax legislation.
Regulatory and Companies House Statement: Albon Financial Planning Ltd is an appointed representative of 2plan wealth management Ltd which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Albon Financial Planning Ltd is entered on the FCA register (www.FCA.org.uk) under no. 1018192. Registered office: Office 89, 86 Bancroft, Hitchin, Herts. SG5 1NQ. Registered in England and Wales Number: 15645059.