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Stephen Higgins

Financial Planning Consultant DipFA in Ramsgate

A little bit about Stephen

I am an experienced Financial Planning Consultant, having moved into financial planning in 2007. I hold the Diploma qualification and have more than 20 years of experience in client-facing roles in the financial services industry. Before joining Quilter Financial Advisers, I worked for one of the UK’s largest high street banks and I am a member of the Personal Finance Society.

Find out more about me below.

Start the conversation

Whether you want help getting your pension in a good place, or to ask me about any other financial need you might have, I’m here to help.
Contact me today

Graphic of women standing on piles of coins increasing in height

How can you boost your pension pot?

In the UK, there are around 3.3 million pension pots that are considered as ‘lost’, containing an average of around £9,500 per pot*. Nobody wants to be missing out on money they have built up in a pension, 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. Investing can help your money grow over time, but the value of investments can go down as well as up.

If that sounds good to you, please get in touch.

Approver Quilter Financial Services Limited. June 2026.

* How to find old pensions - Which?

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.

My main area of expertise is retirement planning, where I specialise in 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 their retirement. I then keep them under regular review to ensure their continued suitability and also assist those looking to access their pensions at or close to their retirement.

I look to provide information in a clear, concise and easy-to-understand way and have access to a range of products from a number of market-leading providers.

What to expect

In advising you, I follow a simple and trusted 3 step process:

1. Free intro call to understand your needs

We will arrange a time to talk about your goals and plans.

2. Personalised plan

I'll prepare a tailored plan which always takes full account of your goals, and gives you the steps and expert support from me to get there. All explained simply.

3. On going check-ins, on your terms

I'll be there as your financial adviser to give you the support you need.

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.

Quilter Financial Planning Network only: This financial promotion was approved by Quilter Financial Services Ltd & Quilter Financial Ltd on 01 August 2022.