Rod Smith
Chartered Financial Planner AFPS, FPFS, Chartered MCSI, DipPFS, CertPFS (DM), Cert CII (MP & ER), Cert SMP in London
A little bit about Rod
I am a Chartered Financial Planner & Fellow of the Personal Finance Society, the professional body for financial advisers. I have over 30 years’ experience in financial services and pensions planning. I help clients to achieve their financial freedom in retirement and meet their personal and family financial goals with focussed one to one advice.
Start the conversation
Whether you want help getting your pension in a good place, or to ask me about another financial need you might have, I’m here to help.
Contact me today
An adviser’s insight
How can you boost your pension pot?
In the UK, there’s an estimated £26.6bn1 in lost or forgotten pensions. That means the average UK worker is missing as much as £28k2 from their retirement money. But there’s good news - this kind of financial hit is completely avoidable.
Here are three simple ways to make sure your pension is working its hardest for you.
1. Check up on it
This one might seem obvious, but it’s easy to lose track of your pension pots, where they are, and what they’re doing. If you make a note of your pension providers, and check your pot(s) regularly, you’re far less likely to lose one of them over time.
2. Look at your investment allocation
Your investment allocation is where and how you’re investing your pension. Often, people will just use their pension provider’s default setting. But this might not actually be right for your retirement goals and risk profile. So, it’s a good idea to revisit this every few years.
3. Bump it up
If you’ve had a windfall recently, like a pay rise, bonus, or inheritance, putting a portion of it into your pension is a good idea. Not only is it tax-efficient, but you’ll be glad when your retirement comes around.
As an adviser, my role is to help you get all of this done simply, with all the facts and information you need. That might be helping you review your risk profile, consolidating old pension pots, or making a plan to help you retire early.
If that sounds good to you, please get in touch.
The value of pensions and the income they produce can fall as well as rise. You may get back less than you invested. Tax Planning is not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Tax treatment varies according to individual circumstances and is subject to change.
2 Source: https://www.hrmagazine.co.uk/content/news/average-uk-worker-has-28-000-in-unclaimed-pensions
Services
Holistic planning
Establishing and reviewing trusts, complete personal risk management planning, short- and long-term savings and investments.
Investments
Wealth management advice to make your money work as hard as it can for you, including making the most of any tax breaks available.
Pensions
Expert advice to help provide comfort in your retirement.
Protection
Whole of life and term assurance protection, private medical arrangements, critical illness insurance.
Income Protection
Permanent health insurance to provide a regular income should you be unable to work due to illness or injury.
Mortgage
First time buyers, remortgages, buy-to-let.
Qualifications
Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning
- The Level 4 Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning from the Chartered Insurance Institute develops core technical and initial financial planning understanding.
Diploma in Financial Planning
- The Level 4 Diploma in Financial Planning from the Chartered Insurance Institute develops core technical understanding across a broad range of key financial planning areas.
Advanced Diploma in Financial Planning
- The Level 6 Advanced Diploma in Financial Planning builds on existing skills and knowledge, enabling advisers to develop specialist planning capabilities and offer a sophisticated and comprehensive approach to financial management.
Chartered Financial Planner
- 'Chartered' is the most respected indicator of professionalism. Attaining Chartered status is challenging and takes commitment. Not only does the adviser complete the Advanced Diploma course, 5 years of industry experience is also required before the status can be awarded.
Fellow of the Personal Finance Society
- Fellowship is regarded as the premier designation for those working in the financial planning profession. Together with Chartered status, it represents the pinnacle of PFS membership.
Certificate in Mortgage Advice
- The Certificate in Mortgage Advice (Level 3) meets the FCA standards for mortgage advisers. It develops an understanding of the sector and the mortgage process, and enables advisers to meet individual client needs.
Certificate in Mortgage Advice and Equity Release
- The Level 3 Certificate in Mortgage Advice and Equity Release meets the FCA standards for mortgage advisers and those advising on equity release schemes.
Certificate in Advanced Mortgage Advice
- The Certificate in Advanced Mortgage Advice surpasses the FCA’s qualification requirements, allowing mortgage advisers to enhance their advisory skills and cater to clients with more complex needs and situations.
Certificate in Equity Release
- The Certificate in Equity Release is a specialised and highly regarded qualification within the financial services industry. Designed to equip professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to provide expert guidance on equity release products, this certification programme plays a pivotal role in ensuring that individuals can make informed decisions about releasing equity from their homes.
Certificate in Financial Services
- This Level-3 Certificate in Financial Services develops knowledge and understanding of the sector and its activities, key customer needs, solutions and products, and how individuals and organisations work within a regulatory and legislative environment.
Certificate in Pension Transfer Advice
- Level 4 Certificate in Pension Transfer Advice develops the in-depth knowledge and practical skills by anyone seeking to advise on the transfer of safeguarded benefits, an increasingly important part of the advice process following the Government's pension reforms.
Level 6 Award in Regulated Pension Transfer Advice
- The CII Level 6 Award in Regulated Pension Transfer Advice develops the in-depth knowledge and practical skills needed by anyone seeking to advise on the transfer of safeguarded benefits, an increasingly important part of the advice process following the Government’s pension reforms.
Award in Long Term Care Insurance
- Develops knowledge and understanding of long term care cover, including legal, taxation and regulatory issues and the responsibilities of local authorities.
Chartered Member
- 'Chartered' is the most respected indicator of professionalism. Attaining Chartered status is challenging and takes commitment. Not only does the adviser complete the relevant advanced qualifications they also have to demonstrate a consistent record of Continual Professional Development (CPD).
Location
Rod's location
London
SE7
United Kingdom
Rod is located in London and offers expert financial advice services to suit your needs.
More about me
I live in the London Borough of Greenwich and I’m keen on sports as an ex-player and enjoying the sights and venues of the city, travel, as well as being a keen reader and film buff.
My specialisms include complex advice issues on defined benefit (final salary) pension scheme options and retirement planning. I act solely in the best interests of my clients and advise on solutions that are appropriate for each individual’s goals, objectives and needs. I provide peace of mind that your finances are organised in the way that suits you, your family and your business. The process starts with an initial no obligation conversation, either by phone or video call to gauge if I can help.
*Transferring out of a Final Salary scheme is unlikely to be in the best interests of most people.
The Financial Conduct Authority does not regulate some employee benefits, tax planning, inheritance tax planning, estate planning, succession planning, trusts or some buy-to-let mortgages.
The guidance and/or information contained within this website is subject to the UK regulatory regime and is therefore targeted at consumers based in the UK.
Registered Office: Quilter Financial Advisers, Senator House, 85 Queen Victoria Street, London, EC4V 4AB. Tel: 0207 562 5856. Registered in England and Wales. Registered number: 05693185. Lighthouse Financial Advice Limited, Senator House, 85 Queen Victoria Street, London, EC4V 4AB. Tel: 0207 562 5856. Registered in England and Wales. Registered number: 04795080.