Helping your future take flight

We moved to our present home in 2011 and decided that we needed expert financial advice. We had paid little attention to our retirement, but knew we needed help. Andy straight away put us at ease with his clear and easy way of explaining (jargon-free) what was needed to achieve the things we wanted to do in retirement. He looked at all our income streams and our outgoings to come up with a plan that would do this.

Expert financial advice is not cheap (good advice never is) and we have not been disappointed with that advice, or with him. His advice and support have enabled us to have a very fulfilling retirement, and the future is looking just as good. It is refreshing to find someone like Andy who is ethical, honest and caring in such a hard-nosed industry.

In 2014 I found myself with various pensions from former employers, but worried they might not add up to a decent retirement. I had been putting off doing anything about it, but finally started looking around for financial advice.

From the ones I found, Andy Johnson looked like someone I could get along with and trust. I was right! He listened to my needs, consolidated my various pensions into better performing funds, and formulated a plan to build my pension finances.

When I reached 55 I was keen to find out my pension options; My initial need was to release cash to pay off my mortgage early, and while other IFAs had procrastinated on this issue, Andrew went the extra mile and made it happen. Paying off the mortgage has enabled us to enjoy more financial freedom and provided more clarity as to my personal future retirement plans, which I am able to review on a regular basis with Andrew.

Andrew's advice has been and continues to be empathetic, honest & reliable. He is a great example of a financial adviser who really does listen to my current circumstances and whose advice I genuinely can trust in all my financial matters.

After a 30-year working life, leaving behind a number of static pension funds and a life event that required some financial attention, I sought a pensions advisor for the first time. From the first time I met Andy I was reassured that I had made a good decision. Andy is always professional and is highly knowledgeable about his field. More than that, he is a great communicator, taking the anxiety out of complex issues.  

He is generous with his time, kind and open in his manner and always accessible. Since working with Andy my pension funds have been consolidated, simplified and have improved greatly in performance.  As always this was done through calm consultation and a clear understanding of his client’s needs.  I have known Andy now for some seven years, I trust him with my pensions and have no hesitation in recommending him and his services.

Lives change over time, and things which we thought were secure suddenly become much less so. Divorce resulted in having to buy out my former spouse to retain my home for myself and son and losing out on a future teachers’ pension. I became ‘saddled’ with debt and was forced to carry on working in London with grinding commutes and high stress. This was having a very material impact on my life and wellbeing.

Andrew’s contact came through a family recommendation. He started with the view that he would do all he could to help me fix my finances and hence my wellbeing. He found solutions to pay down my debt and still bolster my pension, so I can afford to retire. Now I am privileged to work part-time by choice thanks very largely to Andrew, his advice and his independence from ‘corporate ties’.

I was 59 years old and wanted to explore retirement options and the feasibility of retiring at 60. I had several pension funds from different employers during my career and I wanted to understand all the options available to me.

Andy’s expertise and knowledge were absolutely invaluable in helping me make my decisions. He explained everything in easy-to-understand language, has been a great resource, and given support which has enabled me to move into retirement with confidence. Andy is a great financial adviser who always responds promptly and professionally when needed.

Four years ago, I wanted to find out how much longer I would need to keep working. I had several small pension pots and did not know whether I could access these. Andy was already working with my husband, so I had seen how friendly and professional he is. I asked him whether he could help me to make sense of my pension situation.

Andy found out exactly what funds were available and advised how I could access and invest these. He helped me to think through how much I would need, then worked out a detailed retirement funding plan. I was stunned and very happy to discover that I could retire that same year. Andy made all the necessary arrangements and continues to advise. I thoroughly recommend his skilled and friendly service.

I was considering early retirement, but wasn’t entirely sure if my financial position would enable me to do so. I contacted Andy, and after reviewing my current and future finances, he confirmed that my future goals were achievable.

I’ve been with Andy now for more than three years, and this initial advice has been backed up by regular, ongoing reviews and strategic investment recommendations for my pension fund. This has been even more relevant during the recent pandemic, where the regular updates and advice from Andy provided solid reassurances during this difficult time.

I am entirely satisfied with the personal and professional service provided by Andy and would have no hesitation in recommending his services to anyone.

I have known Andy for seven years after initially contacting him for financial advice about my mix of pensions during a turning point in my life, while going through my divorce.

Andy made an immediate impression of being a trustworthy and competent professional and has proven to deliver an excellent service to me by assessing and reviewing my pension options.