Retirement is often seen as the ultimate life goal – a time to slow down, enjoy what you’ve worked so hard for, and focus on the things that matter most.
But the path to retirement isn’t always straightforward. True retirement planning is about understanding your lifestyle, your goals, and your version of financial freedom.
One of the most common questions people ask when thinking about retirement is:
“When can I afford to retire?”
It’s a question that carries a lot of weight, and often, a lot of emotion. Because retirement isn’t just about giving up work, it’s about stepping into a new phase of life with the confidence that your finances can support the lifestyle you want.
At Willow Tree Financial Services, we help clients explore this question every day. The answer is rarely one-size-fits-all. It depends on a range of personal, financial, and emotional factors that are unique to you.
This article will walk you through the key things to consider if you’re starting to wonder when you might be able to retire, and how financial planning can bring more clarity and peace of mind to the process…
Why Retirement Timing Matters
Retirement is a big milestone. And the timing of it affects everything – from how long your money needs to last, to when you can start drawing your pensions, to how you spend your time and energy.
The earlier you retire, the longer your money needs to stretch. The later you retire, the more time you have to save, but the less time you’ll have to enjoy that freedom.
So the real question is often:
How do I balance the life I want, with the money I have, or can build, in time?
What We Look At When Planning for Retirement
When we help clients explore their retirement readiness, we look at the full picture – not just pension statements or retirement ages. It’s about helping you understand what’s possible, and giving you the tools to make decisions you feel confident about.
Here are the key factors we review together:
1. Your Current Savings and Pensions
This includes:
• Workplace pensions (including defined benefit or defined contribution schemes)
• Personal pensions or SIPPs
• ISAs and other investments
• Savings accounts
• Any other financial assets that can be used to support retirement
We look not only at how much is saved, but how these pots are invested, and how they might grow between now and retirement.
2. Expected Income in Retirement
Some people have income streams in addition to their pension pots. This might include:
• The UK State Pension
• Rental income from property
• Dividends or business income if you're a company director or self-employed
• Part-time work if you plan to continue earning in early retirement
Understanding how much reliable income you’ll have can help reduce the pressure on your savings, and help you retire sooner than you might think.
3. Your Lifestyle and Spending Needs
This is where things get personal, and where the numbers start to mean something real.
We talk about:
• What a comfortable lifestyle looks like to you
• Monthly essentials like food, bills, transport and insurance
• Aspirations like travel, hobbies, or helping your children
• One-off costs like home renovations or replacing a car
• Future care needs or medical costs as you age
This helps us understand how much income you’ll need in retirement, and whether your current plans support that.
4. Your Target Retirement Age
You might have a specific age in mind for retirement. Or you might just know that you’d like the option to stop working – or reduce your hours – by a certain point.
We model different scenarios to show:
• How long your savings are likely to last if you retire at 60, 65, or 68
• How retiring earlier might impact your lifestyle or income
• Whether working part-time for a few years could make a big difference
It’s about finding the sweet spot between freedom and security.
5. Inflation, Investment Growth, and Other Variables
A good retirement plan doesn’t just look at your savings now, it considers how those savings may grow, and how the value of money may change over time.
We factor in:
• Inflation – so you know your money can keep up with rising living costs
• Investment growth assumptions – based on your risk profile and portfolio
• Life expectancy – planning for a long and full retirement, just in case
How a Financial Adviser Can Help
You don’t need to figure all of this out alone.
At Willow Tree Financial Services we use processes to help you visualise your retirement options, showing your income, expenses and assets over time, so you can explore “what if” scenarios and make informed decisions.
For example:
• What happens if you retire at 62 instead of 65?
• Can you afford to take that dream holiday every year?
• Will your pension still support you if inflation rises?
• Could you gift money to your children without running short later in life?
We give you clarity, not guesswork. And we help you feel confident, not overwhelmed.
The Emotional Side of Retirement Planning
Retirement isn’t just a financial decision – it’s a life decision. That’s why we always bring empathy, patience, and calm to these conversations.
We know many people worry:
• “What if I run out of money?”
• “What if I leave it too late?”
• “Am I doing the right thing with my pension?”
You’re not alone. These are the exact questions we help people answer every day, and the truth is, most people are closer to financial security than they realise. They just need a plan to see it.
Retirement is About More Than Just Stopping Work
When you ask “When can I afford to retire?”, the answer depends on your goals, your income, your savings, and how you want to spend the years ahead.
But with the right plan, support, and regular reviews, retirement can be something you look forward to, not something you worry about.
Let’s Talk About Your Retirement
Whether you’re five years away from retiring or just starting to think about what comes next, we’re here to help.
Retirement isn’t just a number. It’s a feeling of security, freedom, and peace of mind. Let’s work together to help you get there.
At Willow Tree Financial Services, we offer personalised advice on Financial Planning, Mortgages, Investments, Pensions, Personal & Business Protection, and Wills, Trusts & Estate Planning – all tailored to your individual goals and circumstances.
Call us on 01323 436680, get in touch here, or book an appointment here to get started.
We’re based in Polegate, East Sussex, and support clients across the South East and beyond.
Stay in touch with us on social media:
http://facebook.com/willowtreefinancialservices
linkedin.com/in/rachael-panteney
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Plus, visit our YouTube channel where you can lots of helpful financial advice videos:
http://www.youtube.com/@willowtreefinancialservices
The value of investments and pensions, and any income they produce, can fall as well as rise. You may get back less than you invested. The Financial Conduct Authority does not regulate wills, trusts, estate planning, and lasting power of attorney.
