
Stephen Higgins
Financial Planning Consultant DipFA in Ramsgate
A little bit about Stephen
Stephen is an experienced Financial Planning Consultant, having moved into Financial Planning in 2007. He holds the Diploma qualification and has over 20 years experience in client facing roles in the Financial Services industry having worked for one of the UK’s largest high street banks before joining Quilter Financial Advisers and is a member of the Personal Finance Society.
Stephen’s main area of expertise is retirement planning where his specialty is helping clients by reviewing their existing pension plans to ascertain if they are in the right place for them with a view to helping build them up to help fund the client’s retirement. He then keeps them under regular review to ensure their continued suitability and also assists those looking to access their pensions at or close to their retirement.
He looks to provide information in a clear, concise and easy to understand way and has access to a range of products from a number of market leading providers.
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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.
Income Protection
Permanent health insurance to provide a regular income should you be unable to work due to illness or injury.
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.
Protection
Whole of life and term assurance protection, private medical arrangements, critical illness insurance.
Pensions
Expert advice to help provide comfort in your retirement.
General Insurance
Home contents insurance, buildings insurance.
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.