A financial adviser will ask you about your finances, your personal circumstances, your future plans and how you feel about taking risks with your money.
They can help you decide how to use your pension pot to provide you with an income when you retire and help you choose the right options for you, based on your individual needs.
There are two main types of advice that you should consider:
Independent
Independent financial advisers (IFAs) provide unbiased advice about the whole of market products and services from a range of different providers.
Restricted
Restricted advisers can be either restricted in the types of advice they can offer or are limited to the number of providers they can choose products and services from.
You can speak to a financial adviser at any point in your journey, but we would always recommend you seek financial advice before deciding what to do with your pension.
You might find it beneficial to begin early conversations with an adviser when you're saving, and they can help guide you to ensure you’re on track for the retirement you want.
Alternatively, you might hold off until you're closer to retirement when you need more help with deciding what options are best suited to your needs.
Before choosing a financial adviser, it’s important to consider and decide what type of advice you need.
If you decide you’d like to speak to a financial adviser and don’t already have one, you can find one at unbiased.co.uk.
You will have to pay for financial advice but before you go ahead, an adviser must tell you how much the advice will cost and what it covers.
The fees for seeking financial advice can vary, but you should agree the type of advice you want upfront before you commit to taking advice and shop around to get the best deal.
We know there’s a lot to consider when planning for retirement, and it can be tricky to know where to start. To help you understand all your retirement options, we recommend speaking to your adviser or getting guidance.
Find an independent financial adviser in your area to help you in your future pension planning.
Visit www.unbiased.co.uk and enter your postcode.
Pension Wise is a free and impartial guidance service offered by the Government. They can’t make recommendations or tell you how to invest your money, but will provide information on a range of available pension options.
Visit moneyhelper.org.uk/pensionwise or call 0800 280 8880 to book a phone or face-to-face appointment.
Visit hmrc.gov.uk to find out more information on tax rules and legislation which may affect you and your pension plans.