My Story - Julie Williams
I became a client of Jan Oliff in 1982. I worked as an Administrator for a National Charity and was concerned about my lack of pension provision.
A single woman whose only family was my elderly father I needed to consider my future.
My main objective was to save and invest sufficient to provide me with a comfortable retirement. Jan advised me to make monthly contributions to a pension and we reviewed the contribution level and fund performance each year.
When my father died I lost his income which had contibuted to running and maintaining our home in Wimbledon. I received a small inheritance and with Jan's help invested it to produce a regular income. The income has proved to be very reliable, despite the reduction in bank interest and the vageries of the stockmarket over the past 25 years.
It had been my intention to continue working until age 65 but in 2005, aged 61, the charity started a major restructuring and my job became redundant. I had the option to apply for a different job within the charity or accept a redundancy payment.
My first reaction was panic.
I needed to work and could not afford to retire yet.
Jan took time to consider my true financial state. She looked at my expenditure and worked out what I could do with my capital and pensions. She reassured me that, not only could I afford to retire, but I might even have more income than when I worked.
Retiring early was emotionally difficult, as the charity had been a major part of my life for 30 years. However commuting was increasingly difficult and entailed leaving home before 7.00 am each day. The commute and job stress were aggrivating my health problems so on balance a more relaxed lifestyle was very attractive.
I stopped working in June 2006 and, although I may look for some voluntery work, my quality of life has improved, as has my health. I have time to enjoy my home and garden and to see my friends more often.
The guidance and advice that Jan gave me over the past 25 years give me peace of mind and the confidence to accept my redundancy package and retire. Without her advice I would have had to find other work.
Jan says "Pam's health is poor and she smokes so we were able to obtain an enhanced annuity for her pensions. Her capital has been invested to provide a regular and increasing income but allows her access so she could pay for any repairs or alterations to her home that may be necessary as she gets older. It is Pam's intention to stay in her Wimbledon home for the rest of her life and our job to ensure that she can."
All our client stories:Julie's : Pat & Dermot : Richard Hill : Pat Blandford : Pam Polson
