As a financial adviser, I often sit down with clients who are already retired. Many are referred to us by friends or family who’ve had a better experience — one that included professional advice, clear planning, and a real strategy for later life. These conversations often highlight what retirees wish they’d known about their financial future — and what a difference it could have made.
All too often, what I hear from new clients is a variation of the same theme:
- “I wish I’d known I could have retired earlier.”
- “I wish I’d realised I couldn’t afford to retire when I did.”
- “I wish someone had told me what I needed to save.”
- “This isn’t the retirement I thought I was working toward.”
These aren’t just regrets. They’re missed opportunities. Opportunities that could have been addressed with the right guidance at the right time to better shape that retiree’s financial future.
Reactive vs. proactive: the real financial divide
Most of these people didn’t lack the means to make better decisions. What they lacked was insight. They took a reactive approach to retirement, often relying on outdated assumptions, guesswork, or vague hopes about “having enough.”
The truth is that financial security in retirement doesn’t come from luck, it comes from preparation.
Today, retiring in your mid-60s could mean living another 20–30 years without a salary. That’s the equivalent of another working life, but without a guaranteed income. So, the earlier you understand what that reality might look like for you, the more choices you’ll have.
So, ask yourself:
- What will your finances look like the day after you stop working?
- What challenges might come up if you’ve not planned ahead?
- What will the implications be for your lifestyle, your family, and your peace of mind?
- And perhaps most importantly: are you ready to act now?
Because if the answer to that final question is yes, there’s still time.
We’ve helped many clients retire earlier than expected, or with more confidence than they thought possible. But what makes the difference isn’t how much you’ve saved — it’s how soon you start looking at the full picture.
If you’d like to understand your retirement readiness — and get a clear, realistic view of your options — we’re here to help.
All financial services provided by Tees Wealth are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
