Retirement: navigating the economic and regulatory landscape

Retirement planning is arguably becoming ever-more complex. The regulatory and political environment is constantly shifting while markets are becoming more and more unpredictable given heightened economic and geopolitical concerns. It’s therefore crucial to keep on top of all the latest developments while staying in-tune with the investment strategies that can deliver the best outcomes for clients.

Against this backdrop – and ahead of some imminent tax and regulatory changes – we will be running 13 retirement-themed seminars [RN2.1]around the country in January and February 2027. Here we will explore all the current issues relevant to retirement planning as well as presenting ideas on how to best navigate the potential impacts on clients. 

The packed programme will feature two sessions:

• Portfolios need to be built to cope with inflation so that investments – and the income they generate – can continue to grow in real terms over time. For clients drawing an income, protecting purchasing power becomes ever more crucial.
• Behaviour matters just as much as investment returns – helping clients get invested and stay invested through market ups and downs is key to them achieving their long-term goals, particularly where a portfolio needs to support a sustainable income over many years.
• Investors often focus too much on the risk of a market crash, and not enough on the risk of falling short over time – being too cautious can mean missing out on growth and income opportunities, increasing the risk that portfolios fail to deliver what clients ultimately need. It’s therefore important to plan for both scenarios and strike the right balance between resilience, growth and sustainable income.

• We’ll explore how our Flexible Investment and Retirement Solutions facility can provide you with the flexibility needed to support your Centralised Retirement Proposition, allowing you to manage short-term income needs and sequencing risk and incorporate different investment solutions in line with the FCA’s thematic review.
• The Chancellor’s ISA reforms come into effect from April 2027 – these include a reduction in the Cash ISA limit for under-65s and a tax charge on interest from cash investments within Stocks & Shares ISAs, while new rules on holding money market funds come into play.
• Pensions and inheritance tax – including unused pensions within the value of a client’s estate for IHT purposes from April 2027 may fundamentally undermine the long-established strategy of preserving pensions and using other assets to fund retirement. Instead, pensions could increasingly become the first source of retirement income.
• The increase to the Normal Minimum Pension Age (NMPA) comes into effect from April 2028 – we’ll explain what impact this has on clients with a Fidelity Pension.
• Updates on any changes from the latest Budget announcements and how we can support you.
• Expression of Wish forms – we’ll outline some changes we are making that will enable us to be even more flexible in how pension benefits can be paid out upon a client’s death.
• Making the most of our reporting services – the changes highlighted above and the forthcoming end of the tax year may require you to take action on behalf of numerous clients. We’ll highlight how, for example, our client reporting function and Pension Summary report can streamline the data-gathering process and open up marketing opportunities for your business.

The seminars will last around 90 minutes and attendees will be issued with a CPD certificate following the event.

Places for these events are strictly limited so please reserve your place as soon as possible. Register by selecting the event location that best suits your circumstances.

Register now