top of page
Search
The power of pension tax relief and how it could boost your retirement income
Pension tax relief can significantly bolster your future retirement income. Here's why it's worth ensuring you've claimed all you're entitled to.

Tom from Harken Financial
Feb 234 min read
3 valuable ways to create a guaranteed income in retirement
Almost two-fifths of people say a guaranteed income is a priority in retirement. If you’d like the certainty of knowing how much you’ll receive each month, read about three valuable ways to create financial security when you stop working.

Tom from Harken Financial
Nov 25, 20253 min read
The decumulation dilemmas you might need to overcome when you retire
One of the retirement challenges many people face is how to handle wealth decumulation. During your working life, you’re typically working to increase your wealth, and this usually shifts as you enter retirement. So, if you’re retired or are nearing the milestone, read on to find out more about decumulation dilemmas and how you might manage them. Changing your mindset may be the first decumulation dilemma You might expect retirement challenges to focus on your money. Yet, one

Tom from Harken Financial
Aug 19, 20254 min read
47% of retirees leave work earlier than expected, but just 31% say they could afford to
Retiring early is a dream for many. Whether you’re looking forward to putting your feet up or going on an adventure, it’s a huge milestone and it’s important to be financially prepared. Yet, research suggests that many people retiring earlier than expected don’t have their finances in order. According to research from LV=, 47% of retirees said they retired earlier than expected. Around a quarter said they retired at least five years earlier than they had planned. For 31%, the

Tom from Harken Financial
Nov 9, 20224 min read
The UK could face a “retirement savings crisis” as workers aren’t putting enough away
Figures suggest that many households aren’t saving enough to be financially secure in retirement. Calculating what income you’d need to reach retirement goals before the milestone could mean you’re in a better position to reach them. According to a report in PensionAge, only 43% of baby boomer households below the age of 65 are on track to secure a “moderate” income. The Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association define this as £20,800 for a single retiree and £30,600 for a co

Tom from Harken Financial
Nov 9, 20224 min read
Typical worker approaching retirement is 58% short of their pension goal. Are you saving enough?
Figures suggest that workers nearing retirement could find they’re facing a significant income shortfall later in life. Understanding how your pension savings will add up before you retire is crucial for creating long-term financial wellbeing. According to a report from the Social Market Foundation, people approaching retirement are facing a pension shortfall of almost £250,000 if they want to achieve their desired income. Collectively, across the UK there’s a savings gap of

Tom from Harken Financial
May 9, 20224 min read
Why you still need emergency savings in retirement
Hopefully, you head into retirement confident in your finances and your retirement income. While your financial commitments and dependents may be fewer in retirement, it’s still important to have a safety net to fall back on when you need it most. According to a report in Money Age, 49% of those aged over 65 describe themselves as in “excellent” or “good” financial shape. Yet just 21% think they have plenty of money set aside for emergencies, which could leave the remaining p

Tom from Harken Financial
Nov 12, 20214 min read
What is pension tax relief? How it can help you reach retirement goals
There are many excellent reasons to save into a pension. One of them is the tax relief you benefit from, but many pension savers are overlooking this valuable boost to retirement savings. According to a Royal London survey, just 15% of people fully understand how tax relief on pensions is paid. Importantly, once people had a better understanding of how pensions tax relief works, 25% were more likely to increase pension contributions. Tax relief can help boost your savings and

Tom from Harken Financial
Aug 11, 20214 min read
Why a desire to keep active is driving flexible retirement goals
Brits planning for retirement are shunning a transitional ‘cliff-edge’ approach. Instead, as life expectancy increases, we’re more likely to view retirement as a transition. While it presents an opportunity to pay into a pension for longer, it comes with challenges too. Being prepared for retirement is crucial, whether you hope to transition into a new lifestyle or not. Keeping active is at the heart of the flexible retirement trend Research conducted by Aegon questioned wor

Tom from Harken Financial
Nov 13, 20204 min read
bottom of page
