Even if retirement is a long way off, it is never too early to start planning for your future. Whether you decide to travel the world, spend time with loved ones or dedicate your time to a special hobby, you’ll need a continuous income to fund your retirement. With recent changes to pension plans, an increased life expectancy and decreased salaries, it is imperative now, more than ever, that individuals are more aware of their finances and think about their future finances.
You may currently be accustomed to an income that affords you a certain lifestyle, but in order to maintain that lifestyle, it is necessary that you start putting aside money now and consulting a professional financial planner.
There are multiple ways in which you can save money. Most people have at least one pension scheme, and you can pay into as many as you like. However how much money you put aside is dependent upon how much money you make. An adviser can help you evaluate your finances and decide which schemes to allocate your money to.
As of October 2012, the government has enacted an auto-enrolment workplace pension scheme. This means that over the next six years, all businesses will be required to automatically enrol their employees into a workplace pension. When you join, a fixed amount of your salary will be put into your pension scheme before you receive your wages. Your employer will also put money into your pension. Over time, the amount you and your employer pay into the pension will increase. The new plan will help more people save more money for their retirement. For additional information and questions about your new workplace pension, it’s best to consult the government and a professional financial advisor.
In addition to having a workplace pension, there are other pension schemes and ways to save money for those golden years. The government is currently working on a single-tiered, flat-rate Sate pension that would make saving easier for many. As mentioned before, you are allowed to have multiple pension schemes. You can invest in a personal pension, which is private and can be a great addition to a workplace pension.
Although the government’s recent actions will help more people save, you can turn to other money saving methods to help build your retirement fund. Many people choose to invest their money in ISAs and in property. Furthermore, it’s important that you take inventory of your possessions every year and sell or get rid of things you no longer need. For example, you could sell your old Xbox 360 console, old electronics, furniture and other items, and instead of spending that money, put it aside for your retirement. Again, it is important that you speak with a financial adviser so that you can determine how much you can put away, so that you can live comfortably now and down the road.