Financial advice vs DIY: When should you pay an expert?

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Financial advice should be used to add value to your overall circumstances. Whether you’re thinking of an early retirement set in the South of France, with warm weather and an endless supply of good wine, or wish to simply reduce your hours, move to a less stressful role, or take a step back in your own business, an adviser can help you with a financial plan to ensure a comfortable future and could mean the difference between retiring at 60 or 70!

Do you need financial advice?

• Have you thought about how much money will be needed to fund your retirement lifestyle?
• Do you need insurance but aren’t sure of what type, how much cover, or whether it will pay out for the purpose you need it to?
• Are you making full use of your allowances and exemptions, and any pitfalls you should be aware of?
• Are you worried about succession planning or whether you can make sure you leave your loved ones financially secure in the event of your death? Effective planning may be the difference between a hefty inheritance tax bill, and no bill at all.
• Are your investments on track to repay an interest-only mortgage, or could you be left with a shortfall you were not expecting?

If you are unsure of the answers to any of the above, financial advice could make a significant difference.

 

Is it value for money?

Advice provides clarity for your financial security and future, with the cost often far outweighed by the long-term benefits and peace of mind. Seeking advice in good time should mean you are made aware of any potential shortfalls, with the ability to make suitable corrections.

Annual reviews help track progress, especially when you are working towards a specific goal or objective. Advice can be tailored as your circumstances change, adjusting strategies in good time to ensure your goal remains achievable. You should never leave your review feeling confused, or not sure if your objectives are going to met.

 

Key benefits of financial advice

There are lots of positives when it comes to receiving advice, including:

• Expertise you can trust: Financial advisers can spot opportunities and risks. They have the experience and expertise to ask the right questions and get into the finer details of your existing plans, which may give you unknown protection, or a little bit of extra tax-free cash. For example, some pensions include guaranteed income or bonus schemes  - features that could significantly improve your retirement outlook but may be overlooked without expert help.
• Tax efficiency: Advisers understand the intricacies of tax rules, allowances and exemptions, as well as any restrictions on your pension or ISA contributions. We can help you maximise contributions and advise on the most tax-efficient way to withdraw funds, including the timing of such withdrawals. This could be the difference between saving and paying unnecessary tax.
• Cashflow modelling: Forecasting your financial outlook can indicate the future impact of withdrawals and contributions on your financial goals and objectives, whatever they may be. This helps you understand how decisions—like retiring early or making large withdrawals—will affect your long-term goals. 
• Managing investment risk: Market performance may feel like the most important factor to you, but our role goes much deeper. We ensure you're invested at the right risk level, that your strategy aligns with your tolerance for loss, and that your expectations and plans are managed over the medium to long-term. Putting you into a high-risk fund to achieve short-term growth is easy to do, but would take a lot of explaining when there is a drop in value outside of your tolerance level. We are here for the long haul, and short-term performance is usually a small piece of a bigger picture.

 

Can I go non-advised?

You will never be pressured to take advice if you do not think you need it or if you do not see the value. However, if you do not know the answers to the above questions, it may be that advice is your best course of action.

 

Independent vs restricted advice

There are a couple of different types of advisers - those that are restricted to a particular product or provider and those that have the option to work with the whole of the market. At Armstrong Watson, we are fully independent. We consider a wide range of financial strategies and products, and are constantly reviewing the market to ensure the services and products we offer are appropriate for our clients.

 

Making the right choice for your financial future

Advice isn’t for everyone, but for many it is invaluable. All advice is tailored to your circumstances, whether you're planning for retirement, managing investments, protecting your family, or navigating tax and estate planning. A good adviser will help you make informed choices, avoid costly mistakes, and help you stay on track through changing circumstances. From cashflow modelling to tax efficiency and tailored investment strategies, the peace of mind and clarity you gain often far outweighs the cost. If you're unsure about your financial future, seeking advice could be the most valuable step you take.