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Pensions and retirement

We help you work out when you can retire, how much income you will have and the most tax-efficient way to take it. We also review old pensions to see if you could be better off, and advise employers on workplace schemes.

Margaret O'Brien Answered byMargaret O'BrienIndependent Financial Adviser Trusted since 2011 · read client stories
Who we help
People approaching retirement, savers with several old pensions, and employers
Advice on
Personal, workplace, stakeholder and self-invested pensions, drawdown, annuities, pension sharing
Minimum pension age
55, rising to 57 from April 2028

What can you help with?

For individuals

  • Personal pension advice
  • At-retirement advice
  • Pension fund withdrawal (drawdown)
  • Annuity advice
  • Self-invested personal pensions (SIPPs)
  • Stakeholder pension advice
  • Pension sharing on divorce

For employers

  • Workplace pensions
  • Auto enrolment advice*
  • Group personal pensions
  • Employee benefits consultancy
“Explains things in simple terms, but gives enough details for you to understand what you’re getting into.”
Nicola, Aberdeen

How can I take money from my pension?

With most defined contribution pensions you can take money from age 55 (57 from April 2028). Usually up to 25% can be taken tax-free, subject to limits. The rest is taxed as income.

You can buy an annuity for a guaranteed income, keep the pot invested and draw from it as you need (drawdown), or combine the two. The right choice depends on your other income, your health, your tax position and how much risk you are comfortable with. That is what we help you decide.

Pensions and retirement: your questions answered

When can I retire?

It depends on how much you have saved, what income you need and when your State Pension starts. We build a plan showing what you can afford and when, and update it as your circumstances change.

I have several old workplace pensions. Should I combine them?

Sometimes. Combining can make pensions easier to manage and can reduce charges, but some older pensions have valuable guarantees you would lose. We check each one before recommending anything.

Is an annuity or drawdown better?

Neither is better for everyone. An annuity gives a guaranteed income for life. Drawdown is more flexible but the income is not guaranteed. Many people use a mix. We explain both using your own numbers.

Do you advise employers on workplace pensions?

Yes. We help employers set up and review workplace pensions and meet their auto enrolment duties.

Who will I speak to?

Margaret O'BrienIndependent Financial AdviserPhil AndersonFounder and DirectorKevin PhilipFinancial Adviser, Mortgage Adviser and Equity Release SpecialistPeter BrownIndependent Financial AdviserEmma ReidFinancial Planner
“What you did for us took all the worry away and answered all the questions.”
Katrina, Orkney
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Last reviewed November 2026