Approaching Retirement
One of the most common questions we hear is: “Will I have enough income to enjoy my retirement comfortably?”
At Ifamax Wealth Management, we help you answer that with confidence. Our retirement planning service creates a sustainable income strategy tailored to your lifestyle and values, then actively manages it throughout retirement, adapting as life, markets, and your needs change.
The Retirement Conundrum
Planning for retirement means balancing multiple moving parts:
Longevity – With people living longer, your income needs to last.
Inflation – Your spending power must keep pace with rising prices.
Tax – From income tax to inheritance tax, we structure your income efficiently.
Market Returns – We build in resilience to weather market changes.
Changing Expenditure – Your spending won’t be the same every year; we plan for flexibility.
The Ifamax Approach
Our strategy is built in line with the latest FCA Thematic Review guidance, focusing on structure, clarity, and client understanding.
Define Income and Needs – We map your income sources and separate essential from discretionary spending, factoring in one-off expenses.
Review All Savings – Even assets we don’t manage are considered, ensuring your complete wealth picture is aligned with your goals.
Assess Income Risk – We balance secure income for essentials with investments for growth.
Maximise Tax Efficiency – We draw income in the most tax-efficient way, incorporating inheritance tax planning.
Ongoing Review – We meet at least annually to keep your plan on track.
Why Choose Ifamax for Retirement Advice?
Among the first firms to adopt the FCA Thematic Review best practice in retirement planning.
Chartered Wealth Planners, and the continuity to partner with you for life.
A process built around you, not just your assets.
Our Four-Stage Retirement Advice Process
Retirement Analysis – Understand your full financial picture and objectives.
Retirement Strategy – Create a sustainable, tax-efficient plan.
Implementation – Put your plan in place when you’re ready.
Ongoing Review – Adjust as your needs and markets evolve.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Yes. At Ifamax Wealth Management, our retirement planning is fully aligned with the FCA’s Thematic Review on retirement income advice (TR24/1).
This matters because the FCA highlighted that retirement is one of the most complex and high-risk areas of financial advice. By following the principles set out in the review, we ensure:
Sustainable retirement income strategies that reduce the risk of clients running out of money
Clear withdrawal policies designed around individual circumstances
Regular reviews to adapt plans to market conditions and life changes
Fair value and Consumer Duty alignment, ensuring advice is always in your best interests
For our clients, this means retirement planning that is not only focused on your lifestyle goals but also structured to meet the highest regulatory and professional standards.
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The FCA Thematic Review on retirement income advice (TR24/1) is a detailed regulatory study looking at how financial advisers help clients plan for and manage their retirement. The FCA found that retirement is one of the most complex areas of advice, with high risks if clients do not receive appropriate guidance.
For clients, this matters because the review sets out clear expectations for financial planners, including:
Ensuring retirement income strategies are sustainable for life
Providing clear withdrawal frameworks to prevent unnecessary risk
Carrying out ongoing reviews so plans stay on track
Demonstrating fair value under Consumer Duty
By aligning our retirement planning with the Thematic Review, Ifamax Wealth Management gives you confidence that our advice not only supports your lifestyle goals but also meets the highest regulatory and professional standards.
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From April 2027, new legislation will mean that most pension assets are included in your estate for Inheritance Tax (IHT) purposes. This is a significant change, as pensions have historically been outside the IHT net.
For clients, this matters because:
Your pension could now form part of your estate, increasing the likelihood of an IHT bill.
While executors usually pay the tax, beneficiaries can request the scheme administrator to pay their share directly from the pension if the IHT is £4,000 or more.
Some pension benefits remain exempt, including death-in-service lump sums, dependants’ scheme pensions, and payments to spouses, civil partners, or charities.
The interaction with income tax rules (particularly the age 75 rule) can create complex outcomes, meaning planning ahead is essential.
At Ifamax Wealth Management, we help clients structure their pensions and wider estate planning to reduce unnecessary IHT exposure and ensure wealth is passed on as tax-efficiently as possible.
Importantly, our approach is aligned with the FCA’s Consumer Duty and fair value requirements, meaning we are not only focused on protecting your wealth but also on delivering clear, transparent, and client-first outcomes in line with regulatory expectations.
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No. The draft rules include a mechanism to offset IHT paid against income tax on the same benefit, preventing full double taxation. However, both taxes can still apply.
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An annuity converts some or all of your pension pot into a guaranteed lifetime income. We’ll help you decide if this is right for you.
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It allows you to take income from your pension while keeping the rest invested. This offers flexibility but involves investment risk; we guide you through the pros and cons.
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Our initial consultation is free. Our fees are transparent and designed to reflect the value of the advice and ongoing support we provide.
Start Planning Your Retirement Today
Whether you’re consolidating pensions, planning your retirement income, or looking to make your savings work harder, we’re here to help.
If you have £400,000 or more in investable assets and want a clear, tax-efficient retirement strategy, book your free, no-obligation consultation with an Ifamax Financial Planner.