Guidance. Reassurance. Inspiration.
Are you wondering if early retirement could be an option whilst you’re still supporting a growing family? With clever money management, it is possible. Take a look at how we helped Mr & Mrs B set out their plans.
With good careers, healthy disposable income and a mortgage-free investment property, Mr & Mrs B, both aged 41, are in a good financial position now. They can fund their two children through private school and manage their daily finances without too many challenges. But, the couple would love to retire early. With some big financial decisions, ahead of them, Mr & Mrs B enlisted our help with getting their money to work as hard as possible over the next 10-15 years, so that early retirement and future financial security could become a reality.
Our cash-flow modelling showed that the couple were actually already in good financial shape and could finish work at the age of 55. But, we were also able to shape up their savings plans to ensure that the extra money they continue to set aside between now and then delivers as much of a return as possible, and that the hard-earned cash they are putting away for their children is also protected.
We looked at the pension contributions that the couple were already making, to make sure they were using their maximum annual allowances. We also amalgamated several separate cash investments into a single ISA, to reduce the risk and make full use of Capital Gains Tax allowances. Mr & Mrs B are now contributing as much as they are allowed into pensions, so we’ll help them find alternative investment opportunities, such as Venture Capital Trusts (VCT) and Peer-to-Peer lending to generate a higher level of return over the next few years.
Like many other parents, Mr & Mrs B had been using ordinary bank accounts for their children’s savings, so we recommended that they switch these to an offshore bond instead. This is a much smarter investment structure (especially for higher-rate taxpayers) because it is more tax efficient, but still, allows full control over how and when the money passes to your children.
With their investments now in order and a good financial legacy building for their children, we’re pleased that Mr & Mrs B can look forward to spending more quality time with their family sooner, rather than later.