‘We’re flying high in our retirement’

Planning your future and making the most of your money is hard to do alone. Although initially sceptical, finding the right expert gave ex-RAF man Martin Hewitt peace of mind

After a 38-year career in the RAF, Martin Hewitt was looking forward to retirement. By 2005, he had achieved the rank of warrant officer, been awarded an MBE and received additional honours for his service in Kosovo, the Falklands and in support command. Now the highly decorated aircraft engineering technician recognised that he needed professional advice to make the best of his retirement years.

“I was retiring at the age of 55 on my RAF pension, but my state one wasn’t due for another ten years, so I wanted advice on that gap,” he says. “I was also due to leave the RAF with a gratuity for my long service, which I was determined to invest well.”

Martin, who lives in Deal in Kent with his wife Elaine, knew that sites such as VouchedFor would be able to connect him with an independent financial adviser, but was eager that they prove their mettle. After meeting three advisers he’d connected with online, he began working with Paul Ross of Landmark IFA.

“I must admit I was sceptical about financial advisers, so I took my time with Paul,” Martin recalls. “I first asked him for some quite basic advice about my options on retirement and didn’t share the fact that I was due to receive a substantial sum that would need to be invested.”

Having won Martin’s confidence, Paul says it very soon became clear that the Hewitts needed advice on how to manage their finances effectively for the long-term prosperity of the whole family, including the couple’s son and daughter, and their eight-year-old granddaughter. “Over the next few years, we built a broad-based portfolio of investments that included designated accounts for his dependants,” the adviser explains.

The strategy reflects Martin and Elaine’s circumstances: their pensions provide them with sufficient income to live comfortably, so they are able to leave their savings and investments untouched. But the couple are keen to ensure money is available to their children and grandchildren at key times – to help buy a house, for example, or cover university costs.

Martin has also been convinced of the value of good-quality financial advice, with Paul pointing out opportunities the Hewitts had not previously considered. Both Martin and Elaine have opened new pension plans – despite being retired, they still benefit from tax relief on contributions and are building up tax-free pension funds they can pass on or cash in in later life. “Without access to a financial adviser, I don’t think I’d have realised this was possible,” Martin reflects.