Our Case Studies
From Business Sale to a Retirement Built to Last
The Situation —
A Business Owner Ready for the Next Chapter
After more than a decade of building their business, this client sold up and came to us with a significant sum to invest and a retirement on the horizon. As a long-standing client, we had already been working together, so we understood their goals well.
What made this moment interesting was the timing. The client was still involved in the business through an earn-out and consultancy arrangement, which meant there was no immediate pressure to draw income. That window gave us the space to get the structure right before retirement began.
The Solutions —
Making Smart Retirement Decisions With Newly Released Wealth
The first thing we tackled was the pension. The client had multiple arrangements spread across different providers with no clear strategy connecting them. We consolidated everything into a single modern pension, which simplified the administration, gave better investment control and allowed us to align the whole thing with a coherent long-term plan.
We also supported further tax-efficient pension contributions to build retirement provision while reducing current tax exposure. But we did not do this blindly. With tax-free cash now effectively capped at £268,275 and inheritance tax on pension assets coming in from April 2027, we reached a point where making further contributions no longer made sense. Beyond that threshold, we redirected surplus capital into more effective planning strategies.
Where relevant, we also redirected contributions to the client’s spouse, building her retirement provision and making full use of her available allowances within the limits of her earnings.
On the investment side, given the scale of the pension and overall wealth, we agreed on a more actively managed approach. This gives greater flexibility across asset classes and a more responsive strategy as retirement approaches, with a focus on improving risk management rather than simply chasing returns.
Looking ahead to retirement, planned within the next few years, we modelled a sustainable income strategy. The plan combines tax-free cash with pension withdrawals structured within the basic rate tax band, producing a blended income that is highly tax-efficient. We also mapped income requirements through to State Pension age to make sure lifestyle needs are met without unnecessarily eroding long-term capital.
Finally, because not all pension assets will be needed for income, inheritance tax planning became an important part of the picture. The pension itself forms a key part of the wealth transfer strategy for the next generation. We also explored the option of using a portion of the pension to purchase an annuity. With rates currently at their most attractive levels in over 15 years, a joint-life structure offers the chance to secure a guaranteed income for life, with up to 50% continuing to the spouse on death, sitting entirely outside the estate for inheritance tax purposes.
The Results —
A Clear, Flexible Retirement Strategy
The client now has a structured plan for drawing income in retirement, full oversight and control of their pension assets, and a clear pathway for passing wealth to the next generation efficiently.
It is not just about having enough. It is about making sure every part of the plan works together — income, tax efficiency and long-term wealth — so that retirement looks and feels the way it should.
Disclaimer: These case studies are provided for illustrative purposes only. They are based on typical financial planning scenarios and modelling undertaken as part of our advice process. While inspired by real client situations, details have been anonymised and, where appropriate, adapted or combined to protect confidentiality. They should not be regarded as actual client outcomes or as a guarantee of future results. Individual circumstances, tax treatment and investment performance will vary.
