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Why Work with a Retirement Planning Advisor?
Retirement planning is one of the most critical financial decisions you'll make. With pension freedoms introduced in 2015, UK retirees have unprecedented flexibility in how they access their pensions—but also significant responsibility. Making the wrong decisions about drawdown rates, tax efficiency, or investment allocation can mean running out of money decades too early.
The advisors listed below are FCA-registered independent financial advisors (IFAs) specializing in retirement planning. They can help you consolidate pensions, optimize tax-efficient withdrawals, navigate the State Pension system, and create sustainable retirement income strategies tailored to your lifestyle goals.
29 Retirement Planning Advisors
Cirencester
01285 372 382
Fee-only
Directory Enquiries Only • No Advice Given
Cirencester
01285 702 340
Fee-only
Directory Enquiries Only • No Advice Given
Gloucester
01452 260 840
Fee-only
Directory Enquiries Only • No Advice Given
Gloucester
07387 788924
Fee-only
Directory Enquiries Only • No Advice Given
Gloucester
08000 469776
Fee-based
Directory Enquiries Only • No Advice Given
Gloucester
Contact via website
Fee-based
Directory Enquiries Only • No Advice Given
Gloucester
Contact via website
Fee-based
Directory Enquiries Only • No Advice Given
Cheltenham
01242 123 456
Hybrid
Directory Enquiries Only • No Advice Given
Cheltenham
01242 246 855
Fee-only
Directory Enquiries Only • No Advice Given
Cheltenham
01242 514 674
Fee-only
Directory Enquiries Only • No Advice Given
Cheltenham
0800 915 0000
Fee-only
Directory Enquiries Only • No Advice Given
Cheltenham
0330 038 8941
Fee-only
Directory Enquiries Only • No Advice Given
Tetbury
Contact via website
Fee-based
Directory Enquiries Only • No Advice Given
Tetbury
Contact via website
Fee-based
Directory Enquiries Only • No Advice Given
Tetbury Area
0330 038 8939
Fee-based
Directory Enquiries Only • No Advice Given
Witney
01993 772467
Fee-only
Directory Enquiries Only • No Advice Given
Chipping Norton
01608 646 738
Fee-only
Directory Enquiries Only • No Advice Given
Oxford
01865 761 182
Hybrid
Directory Enquiries Only • No Advice Given
Oxford
01865 559 200
Fee-only
Directory Enquiries Only • No Advice Given
Oxford
01865 792 001
Fee-only
Directory Enquiries Only • No Advice Given
Bath
01225 420 010
Fee-only
Directory Enquiries Only • No Advice Given
Bath
01225 466 355
Hybrid
Directory Enquiries Only • No Advice Given
Bath
01225 471 700
Fee-only
Directory Enquiries Only • No Advice Given
Winchcombe
Contact via website
Fee-based
Directory Enquiries Only • No Advice Given
Cirencester/Winchcombe
Contact via website
Fee-based
Directory Enquiries Only • No Advice Given
Malmesbury
0330 038 8938
Fee-based
Directory Enquiries Only • No Advice Given
Malmesbury
Contact via St. James's Place
Fee-based
Directory Enquiries Only • No Advice Given
Bourton-on-the-Water/Woodstock
Contact via website
Fee-based
Directory Enquiries Only • No Advice Given
Woodstock
01993 813500
Fee-based
Directory Enquiries Only • No Advice Given
What to Look for in a Retirement Planning Advisor
- FCA registration: Verify at register.fca.org.uk before proceeding
- Specialist qualifications: Chartered Financial Planner, CFP®, or Pension Transfer Specialist (if transferring DB schemes)
- Independent status: IFAs can recommend products from the whole market, not just tied providers
- Fee transparency: Clear written fee schedule (avoid commission-based advice)
- Retirement income modeling: Ask to see cash flow projections and withdrawal scenarios
- Tax planning expertise: Advisors should understand 25% tax-free lump sums, drawdown tax bands, and pension death benefits
- Ongoing service options: Annual reviews to adjust strategy as markets and personal circumstances change
Find Retirement Planning Advisors in Your City
Wondering about costs? Read our comprehensive fee guide to understand what you should pay for retirement planning advice.
Need investment management? Check out our investment management advisors for portfolio management and wealth planning.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does retirement planning advice cost in the Cotswolds?
Retirement planning advice in the Cotswolds typically costs £1,500-£4,000 for a comprehensive retirement plan covering pension consolidation, income projections, and tax-efficient withdrawal strategies. Ongoing pension management fees range from 0.5%-1.5% of pension value annually. Hourly rates are £200-£350 for ad-hoc advice. Pension transfer advice (especially from defined benefit schemes) costs £2,500-£7,500+ due to regulatory requirements.
Do I need a financial advisor for retirement planning?
While not legally required, a qualified retirement advisor is highly recommended for most people approaching or entering retirement. Advisors help you navigate complex decisions like pension consolidation, drawdown rates, tax-efficient withdrawals, State Pension deferral, and ensuring your money lasts throughout retirement. FCA-registered advisors provide regulated, professional guidance tailored to your circumstances. For pension transfers over £30,000 from a defined benefit (final salary) scheme, FCA advice is legally required.
What's the difference between an IFA and a pension advisor?
An Independent Financial Advisor (IFA) can advise on all areas of personal finance including investments, pensions, protection, mortgages, and tax planning. A specialist pension advisor or retirement planner focuses exclusively on retirement income planning, pensions, and drawdown strategies. Many IFAs offer specialist pension advice as part of their holistic financial planning services. When choosing an advisor, prioritize qualifications (Chartered, CFP®, Pension Transfer Specialist) and experience over job title.
When should I start retirement planning?
The earlier, the better. Ideally, start retirement planning in your 40s or 50s to maximize compound growth and pension contributions. However, it's never too late. Many people seek advice in their late 50s (5-10 years before retirement) to optimize State Pension timing, consolidate old pensions, and create a retirement income strategy. Even if you're already retired, an advisor can help optimize your drawdown strategy, minimize tax, and ensure your money lasts.
Should I take a 25% tax-free lump sum from my pension?
It depends on your circumstances. While taking 25% tax-free seems appealing, it reduces your future income-generating capital. An advisor can model scenarios: leaving the full pension invested vs taking the lump sum and reinvesting it in ISAs or paying off debts. For many retirees, phased withdrawals (taking small tax-free portions over multiple years) are more tax-efficient than a single large lump sum. This is a critical decision best made with professional guidance, as mistakes can't easily be reversed.
What's better: annuity or pension drawdown?
There's no universal answer—it depends on your age, health, risk tolerance, and income needs. Annuities provide guaranteed income for life but no flexibility or inheritance. Drawdown offers flexibility and growth potential but carries investment risk and the risk of running out of money. Many retirees use a hybrid approach: buying a small annuity to cover essential expenses (rent, bills) and keeping the rest in drawdown for discretionary spending. A retirement advisor can model both options based on your circumstances.
Can I combine multiple old pensions into one?
Yes, pension consolidation is common and often beneficial. Combining multiple old workplace pensions into a single modern SIPP (Self-Invested Personal Pension) simplifies management, reduces fees, and gives you more investment choice. However, some older pensions have valuable guarantees (guaranteed annuity rates, protected tax-free cash above 25%) that you'd lose by transferring. Always seek FCA-regulated advice before consolidating pensions, especially defined benefit (final salary) schemes.
Ready to Plan Your Retirement?
Connect with FCA-registered retirement planning advisors in the Cotswolds for expert guidance
Disclaimer: This is a directory service. We do not provide financial advice. Always verify FCA registration at register.fca.org.uk before engaging an advisor. Pension and investment values can go down as well as up, and you may get back less than you invested. Tax treatment depends on individual circumstances and may change in the future.