Graham Irons Financial Planning

Personal Pensions - what you need to know

The individual and group pensions market is an ever changing world, with new legislation being brought out on a regular basis, it is difficult to keep track of what options are available with regard to your retirement planning. Hopefully within this section of our website we can explain many of these options in plain simple language and help you plan for your future. This information is purely intended as guidance and therefore if you require any specific advice please contact us directly for independent financial advice.

Alternatively Secured Pension and the Family SIPP

Despite the recent debates on whether Alternatively Secured Pension (ASP) should be available to everyone, it was introduced at A-Day as an alternative option to annuity purchase for those aged 75 and over. Rather than being forced to purchase an annuity, ASP now offers greater choice and flexibility for those over age 75. It enables them to continue drawing an income directly from their fund in a similar way to Unsecured Pension. read more..

How Much Should I Save Towards My Retirement

What is a personal pension?

The fundamentals of a pension plan are very simple. You put money into a savings fund, it hopefully grows in value and at retirement you convert the fund into a regular income payment, which will replace part, or all, of your earnings from employment. read more..

Income Drawdown - Is It Right For Me?

Annuities are historically the most popular option in retirement, with a great many looking for the security that they provide. However, it's unlikely that they will continue to account for as high a % of retirement income products as they have in the past, Why, you ask? This document will explain further. read more..

Pensions And Divorce

In 2008, the divorce rate in England and Wales fell to 11.2 divorcing people per 1,000 married population compared with the 2007 figure of 11.8, a fall of 5.1 per cent. (Source: National Office of Statistics 2010). Like it or not, with pensions being most people's second biggest asset, a major consideration is always going to be pension benefits. read more..

State Second Pension - The Facts and Figures

This document is geared to contracting out using personal / stakeholder pensions. The position for employer-sponsored schemes can be different and you should seek further guidance from your scheme administrators. read more..

Understanding Personal Pensions

Personal pensions may be suitable if you're employed and not in a company pension scheme, or as an addition to a company pension. You may also wish to set up a personal pension if you are self-employed, or if you are not working but can afford to put aside money for retirement. read more..