How financial planning can help through big life events

Financial planning isn’t just about choosing investments or pension products. It’s about having someone in your corner when life gets complex – helping you navigate major decisions with confidence and clarity.

Most people think financial planning is about picking stocks or comparing ISAs. But the reality is quite different. The clients who come to see us aren’t usually looking for product recommendations – they’re facing big life decisions and want to know their options.

These situations can often feel overwhelming because they feature major life transitions that affect relationships, feelings of security and overall well-being. Whether it’s thinking about selling a business, approaching retirement or dealing with sudden change, these situations often aren’t just about numbers. That’s where having someone who understands both the financial and human side of these decisions can provide much-needed peace of mind.

Here are four examples of the scenarios our clients might be going through when they start working with us, and how we help them find clarity and confidence in their financial future.

Building a legacy: The family business owner

Rupert Murdoch has finally answered the question of who will inherit his media empire. Eldest son Lachlan will assume control when Murdoch senior dies. His siblings are selling their shares, relinquishing any control (but gaining a reported US$1.1 billion each).

You don’t need to own a media empire for this to resonate. If you’ve spent decades building a business, you’re probably facing complex questions that go far beyond simple financial planning. Do you want to keep it in the family? Sell to employees? Find an external buyer? And how do you balance getting the best financial outcome with preserving what you’ve built?

The emotional side is just as important as the numbers. Your business isn’t just an asset – it’s your life’s work, possibly your identity, and potentially your family’s future. These aren’t decisions you should make in isolation.

How we help business owners: We’ve worked with many business owners through succession planning, helping them explore all their options before making any irreversible decisions. We factor in income tax, inheritance tax and trust planning, but we also understand that passing on or selling a business is as much an emotional decision as a financial one. We work to support open conversations between generations to help structure things in a way that works for everyone involved.

We’re holding a webinar this month – A candid conversation on the future of family businesses – where we’ll explore these challenges in more depth with expert insights on navigating succession planning successfully. Find out more here.

Success brings complexity: The high earner

Brian Deane scored the first-ever Premier League goal, etching his name in football history. He’s also one of the V11 Group, a group of retired pros who lost millions on their investments during the ‘90s and 2000s – largely due to not having the right advisers in their corner. Some went bankrupt, others still have huge tax bills outstanding.

Success can be overwhelming. Whether you’re a lawyer making partner, a consultant building your practice, or yes, a professional footballer, higher earnings bring opportunities – but also complexity. You may find yourself navigating higher tax brackets, more sophisticated investment options, decisions about supporting family members, and questions about your long-term financial strategy.

Many high earners come to us feeling successful but uncertain. They know they should be making the most of their situation, but they’re not sure what “making the most of it” actually looks like. How much should you save? What’s the most tax-efficient way to structure things? When could you afford to step back if you wanted to?

How we help high earners: We start by understanding what you want your money to do for you – both now and in the future. Using a tool called ‘cashflow modelling’, we can illustrate different scenarios: what if you want to retire early? What if you want to support your children through university? What if you want to take a sabbatical? We help you find the most tax-efficient strategies for your situation, but more importantly, we help you understand how your financial choices today will affect your future options.

A high-earning client who came to us five years ago was keen to get her mortgage repaid as quickly as possible, while looking to reduce their income tax liabilities. Given her age (50), we advised that rather than using her disposable income to make overpayments on her mortgage, she should utilise that income to fund personal pension contributions, which served to significantly reduce her personal income tax liabilities each year. When she turned 55, we were then able to release the tax-free lump sum from her pension to repay her outstanding mortgage, helping her to meet her objectives with the benefit of forward planning. Moreover, she has now boosted her pension pot and is well on the path to an early retirement.

You can read more client stories here to see how we’ve helped others in similar situations.

The next chapter: Approaching retirement

Retirement planning used to be simple. You worked until 65, got a company pension, and that was that. Now, with longer life expectancy, more flexible pension rules, and changing family dynamics, retirement can last 30 or more years and look completely different from one person to the next.

Many approaching retirement aren’t even sure what they want it to look like. Some want to stop completely, others prefer to wind down gradually. Some want to travel extensively, others are happy staying close to home. With pension policy constantly in the headlines – including speculation that Chancellor Rachel Reeves might change tax-free withdrawal amounts in her November Budget – it’s no wonder people feel uncertain.

And then there’s the inheritance tax changes coming in 2027, when unspent pensions will lose their tax exemption. If you were planning to leave your pension untouched while spending other assets first, you may need to rethink your strategy.

How we help people approaching retirement: Not having a ‘template’ for retirement is actually good news – it means you can design something that works for you. We can show you what different retirement scenarios might look like financially. Want to retire at 55? We can show you what that would require. Prefer to work part-time for a few more years? We can model that too. The key is understanding your options before you need to make any decisions.

When everything changes: Sudden wealth

Sometimes life changes overnight. A lottery win, an inheritance, the sale of company shares, a legal settlement – sudden wealth can be life-changing, but it can also feel overwhelming.

We’ve worked with lottery winners, people who’ve inherited significant sums, and those who’ve benefited from company buyouts. While the amounts vary, the feelings are often similar: excitement mixed with anxiety, and lots of questions about what to do next.

Sudden wealth doesn’t just change your bank balance – it can change your relationships, your sense of identity, and your plans for the future. Having someone to help you think through the implications can make all the difference.

How we help with sudden wealth: We take things at your pace. For many people dealing with sudden wealth, visiting a financial adviser might never have been on their radar before. We start by understanding what this change means for you and what you want to achieve. Should you pay off your mortgage? Help family members? Invest for growth? There are no right or wrong answers, but there are strategies that work better than others depending on your circumstances and goals.

Financial planning isn’t really about finance – it’s about life

It’s about getting clarity on your options when you’re facing big decisions. It’s about having confidence that you’re making choices that align with what matters to you. And it’s about having someone in your corner who understands both the numbers and the human side of financial decisions.

Whether you’re building towards a life event, planning your next chapter, or dealing with sudden change, you don’t have to work it out alone.

Please get in touch to speak with one of our financial planners who can help you navigate whatever transition you’re facing.