Investing for retirement in the UK

Hopefully, you made the right decisions about investing for retirement in the UK and are now ready to start enjoying the spoils. But it would be best if you still considered all the options open to you regarding withdrawing lump sums and income funds from your pot.

Working out how much you need for a comfortable retirement

Hopefully, you enjoyed your working life as job satisfaction is essential. But while still working, planning for your retirement well in advance is necessary.

If you follow the right investment strategy, it’s surprising how much compound interest can accumulate with an excellent long-term investment plan. So if you are wondering how to invest £10,000, a long-term retirement plan is a great alternative. You could have a very nice nest egg with luck (plus good advice and judgement).

Investing for income in retirement for UK retirees will stand you in good stead. But planning for the ideal retirement income is no easy thing. So let’s kick off by helping you to answer the question of how much do I need to retire?

Funding your retirement lifestyle

We all have goals and ambitions, and retirement bucket lists vary from simply having enough to get by on to affording luxury limousines and holidays. The amount you set aside when saving for retirement will determine the boundaries.

A recent survey by Which magazine found that UK retirees spend an average post-tax income of £2,333 per household per month. This covers approximately £19,000 per annum to be able to afford the basic necessities, plus an extra £9,000 plus for goodies such as eating out now and again and going on holiday to Europe twice per year.

Suppose you’re hankering after something a little more generous, say a more exotic type of holiday and a new car every five years – Which magazine says you’ll need an annual income of around £45,000 after tax.

One thing is for sure. Your state pension won’t be enough. The maximum level of new state pension you’ll receive at present is £185.15 per person per week if you’ve paid 35 years’ worth of NI contributions. The full level of the new state pension equates to £9,627.80 per year for individuals and £19,255.60 per year for households. It’s not even enough to cover the basics as determined by Which magazine.

The best way to save for retirement for UK retirees includes having workplace pensions, SIPPs, or private pensions on top of the state allowance.

What about retiring early?

One upon a time, you had to retire, by law, at 65. That is no longer the case. However, men and women start receiving their state pensions at 65 from November 2018, unless they decide to defer them.

However, the start point at which your state pension kicks in is not static. It’s gradually increasing; by 2028, the starting age will be 67. Even the state pension age is constantly under review by the government and could change with continuing increases in life expectancy.

While the age to start receiving state pension age is fixed (subject to future changes), with regard to private, workplace, or SIPP pensions, you can now access them from the age of 55. But could you retire at that age?

If you have a SIPP, you can search online for a SIPP calculator for UK residents. You’ll find several from which to choose.

Next, let’s take a look at a few retirement scenarios.

Could I retire at 55 with a pot worth £300,000?

You’d struggle if you tried to retire at 55 with a £300K pension pot. According to the ONS and 2018/2020 calculations, the average age expectancy is 85.6 years for men and just under 87.8 years for women. Taking the essential necessity cost of living at £19,000 per annum and multiplying it by 32 (87 minus 55) gives you £608,000 – that is the best-case scenario.

A retirement plan that gives you a £300K pot at 55 leaves you £308K short. Okay, your state pension would kick in once you reach 65/67, but even so, you would have to live on a strict budget. It’s not so much a case of could you retire at 55 with £300K, but would you want to?

Could I retire at 60 with a pot worth £300,000?

The later you retire, the more your investments in retirement savings are given the chance to grow. S yes, you could retire at 60 with a £300K pot, and you’d have greater flexibility than you would if you retired at 55. But even this may not support a luxurious lifestyle you hope to enjoy in retirement.

Could I retire at 55 with a pot worth £800,000?

You most certainly could, and with a degree of comfort. This is a good pension pot that would provide you with a good regular income of around £33,000 per annum and still leave enough in the bank to carry on earning interest and topping up the pot.

Target date funds for UK residents

Target date funds (TDFs) are a relatively new option on the pension investing landscape. A TDF is a higher investment risk pension scheme in the beginning. But as the fund progresses – as you get closer to retirement, it follows a glide path designed to move your investments from riskier to safer products a little at a time.

TDFs take advantage of investment growth opportunities in your younger years and protect your savings as you approach retirement. A TDF is an option when considering the best way to save for retirement in your 40s in the UK.

What about an IRA investment for UK residents who are US ex-pats?

US citizens who are ex-pats residing in the UK often bring their retirement funds when they relocate.

Americans have a Custodial Roth IRA, but UK residents don’t qualify for it. However, this American product is like a Child or Junior ISA. A parent or legal guardian can only open both products. Investments, growth, and withdrawals are generally tax-free.

Vanguard Roth IRAs are one of many IRAs available in the US. They all follow similar rules. For example, when a US citizen with a Vanguard Roth IRA becomes a UK resident, they can still withdraw funds from the pot tax-free, thanks to the US-UK income tax treaty. So, Vanguard retirement funds for UK residents holding UK or US citizenship follow very similar rules to Stocks and Shares ISAs.

Getting good advice on investing for retirement in the UK is essential

Private pensions or SIPPs can produce excellent results as investments in retirement, but they’re not the only vehicles. You could invest in a shares ISA, for example. Bank accounts are not the best vehicles for saving because the interest rates are low, especially when measured against inflation, which is currently running at 10.1% as of September 2022.

If you’re fortunate enough to come into a windfall – an inheritance sum or a big lottery win, and you’re asking yourself how to invest £100,000, you should search out a trustworthy independent financial adviser – someone who is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

They will help you to establish your investor profile, after which you could open a general investment account. Other investment options include pension savings for UK retirement and shorter-term options like stocks and Shares ISAs, which allow you to take advantage of tax relief while accessing your savings when you most need them.

FAQ

What is an investment?

An investment is the act of putting money into an asset acquisition for an expected return in the future due to an increase in value.

Are ready-made retirement investment options available?

Yes, they are available. Your retirement provider might give you choices for investing your savings by offering pre-made investments that could be suitable for you regardless of your risk tolerance. Each option works differently, so speak to your provider about which one might be best for you.

What to consider when investing for my retirement?

There are several questions you need to ask yourself when you start investing for your retirement. Questions such as how much income I will need in retirement, what age do I want to retire, and what is my risk tolerance level, will help you determine the right investment option for you.