“Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter.”

Often by now many are settling in comfortably to retirement, but it’s doesn’t have to be all about slowing down. If you’re no longer dependent on work for a steady income, there’s so much more time to enjoy! It’s time to bask in the freedom of old age and look back on all your busy years, hopefully with joy and excitement at what’s still to come.

You potentially still have a third of your life left, so maybe you’ll not want to just put your feet up.  Although it’s probably tempting, why not think about travelling and exploring the world or even moving abroad.  Or if you don’t fancy hanging up your work shoes for good, why not take a part-time role, maybe in a new field.  Hopefully you will have built a little comfort cushion, so whatever you do with these years, you’ll be able to enjoy it without counting every single penny. 

Early on in your career you might not be in the mind set that a pension is important. But you’re never too young to start saving for life’s later years and the earlier you start, the more it will benefit you in the long run. 

When the day comes to finally hang up your working shoes, you’ll need to know the best way your pension can work for you and your new found freedom. There’s a lot to think about; how to access it, whether to move it, can you keep adding to it? Maybe you need to plan what to leave as inheritance, and how to avoid inheritance tax for your nearest and dearest.

It would also be useful to establish how to write a will, and how to plan your funeral.  It may seem drastic and a little depressing, but we all need Later Life planning!