"I've had this letter"

It depends on what kind of retirement you want and how much you're already earning. The Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association publishes a useful benchmark: a "moderate" single retirement is currently around £31k a year, a "comfortable" one around £43k. Couples need roughly 1.5x those numbers. Halewood doesn't give you a generic answer — we look at every pot you've actually got, what they'll pay, what the state pension adds, and tell you where you stand against the retirement you want. Real numbers, plain English.

Sometimes — not always. Consolidating multiple pension pots into one can simplify your life, make drawdown easier, and reduce admin. But some old workplace pensions have valuable benefits (guaranteed annuity rates, defined benefit elements, life cover) that you'd lose if you transferred out. The right answer depends on each pot. Halewood reviews every pot before suggesting a move — and if consolidation isn't right, we'll tell you that.

A wealth manager typically focuses on investing money you already have — usually £250k+ of investable assets, charged as a percentage of what they manage (often 0.75%-1.5% per year). A financial adviser does broader financial planning — pensions, retirement income, protection, tax planning — and may charge fixed fees, hourly rates, or a smaller percentage. Halewood is proper financial planning for people approaching retirement: tiered ongoing fees (4% on the first £50k, 3% on £50-150k, 2% above £150k), pension setup from £750, financial reports from £1,000. 

Yes — both. A will controls what happens to your money and property when you die. Without one, intestacy rules apply, which often isn't what you'd want — especially if you're unmarried, blended families are involved, or you've got a property portfolio. A lasting power of attorney lets someone you trust make decisions for you if you can't — financial decisions, health decisions, or both. People often think LPAs are only for old age, but most attorneys put in place are for unexpected illness or accident. Halewood's wills team handles both — wills from £175, LPAs from £395.

An annuity converts your pension pot into a guaranteed income for life — once you set it up, the rate is fixed and you can't change your mind. Pension drawdown leaves the pot invested, and you take income from it flexibly — more in some years, less in others. Drawdown gives flexibility but means investment risk continues. Annuities give certainty but rates have historically been lower. Most modern retirees use a mix of both. The right approach depends on your pots, your other income, your appetite for risk, and what you want from retirement. Halewood works through the choices with you properly.