Question 1

Why should I work with Pyrford Financial Planning?

Accepted Answer

Below are six reasons to consider working with Pyrford Financial Planning: 1. To have the confidence to finish work, knowing that you have a robust retirement plan in place. 2. To have the confidence to spend and/or gift in retirement without fear of running out of money. 3. To optimise taxation, meaning you have more to spend on your retirement lifestyle. 4. To generate sufficient investment returns, ensuring you can afford your retirement lifestyle while minimising risk. 5. To spend more time doing the things you love in retirement. 6. To ensure your family has a trusted professional to turn to if the worst were to happen to you.

Question 2

How are you different from other financial advisers?

Accepted Answer

Four things separate our firm from others: 1. We are retirement planning specialists working with individuals aged 50+. Just as you would approach a cardiac surgeon rather than your GP to perform open-heart surgery, we believe that working with a retirement planning specialist rather than a generalist financial adviser will help you achieve the best retirement outcome. 2. We limit the number of clients we work with and only engage with those where we can add value that covers our fees. 3. We are highly qualified – both James and Noel are degree-educated and have attained the CFP designation, a master's-level qualification that is widely regarded as the global gold standard in financial planning. They are also both Chartered Wealth Managers. 4. We believe we are the perfect size. We don't have the "key-person" risk of a one-person band, and we're not a big faceless outfit where you're regularly passed from adviser to adviser.

Question 3

Do you offer hourly or one-time project fee options?

Accepted Answer

At Pyrford Financial Planning, we believe that a "one-off" retirement planning exercise is of little value. We therefore only engage with clients on an ongoing basis. If you are looking for some "one-off" retirement planning and advice, we would suggest reading Noel's book and our blog and saving yourself some money.

Question 4

Can you meet virtually and work with people outside Surrey?

Accepted Answer

Since COVID, we moved our financial planning meetings to Zoom. We have found that this approach leads to a more productive and efficient relationship, both during the initial retirement planning exercise (which can span several meetings as we iteratively build the retirement plan together) and also once onboarded, with regular catch-ups rather than the traditional once-a-year meeting. For local clients, we love meeting up for lunch in person (many clients become friends).

Question 5

How does Pyrford Financial Planning make money?

Accepted Answer

We are happy to be paid either directly or from your investments.

Question 6

Do you charge exit fees?

Accepted Answer

We do not charge exit fees. If we are not adding sufficient ongoing value to cover our fees, we will suggest that you discontinue our services. We will then help you find a solution that better suits your requirements. Our fees page gives a full breakdown of what clients of Pyrford Financial Planning pay.

Question 7

Do I need to pay for an initial meeting?

Accepted Answer

No! Schedule a no-obligation introductory call to find out more about the service we offer.

Question 8

What should I bring to the initial meeting?

Accepted Answer

Just yourself! This meeting is about understanding what you are looking to achieve and how we can help.

Question 9

Are you Independent?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we are 100% independent. We are a Directly Authorised, 100% director-owned firm.

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