Your Future, Your Plan: A Practical Guide to Retirement

Course outline

A clear route from first principles to practical confidence

1. 01

   Module 1: Why Plan for Retirement?

   • What does retirement mean to you?
   • The cost of living in later life
   • How long might your retirement last?
   • The risks of not planning ahead
   • Setting your personal retirement vision
2. 02

   Module 2: The State Pension – Your Foundation

   • What is the State Pension and who qualifies?
   • Understanding your National Insurance record
   • How to check your State Pension forecast online
   • Options to fill gaps in your record
   • When can you claim and what affects the amount?
3. 03

   Module 3: Workplace Pensions – What You Need to Know

   • Auto-enrolment explained simply
   • Defined contribution vs defined benefit schemes
   • How much should you contribute?
   • What happens when you change jobs
   • Understanding your annual pension statement
4. 04

   Module 4: Personal Pensions and Savings Options

   • Stakeholder and personal pensions
   • Self-invested personal pensions (SIPPs) – a simple guide
   • ISAs and their role in retirement planning
   • Property as a retirement investment
   • Other savings accounts and bonds
5. 05

   Module 5: Tax and Your Retirement Savings

   • Tax relief on pension contributions
   • Annual and lifetime allowances explained
   • The tax-free lump sum at retirement
   • How tax affects your other savings and investments
   • Keeping your tax affairs simple
6. 06

   Module 6: When and How to Access Your Pension

   • The new pension freedoms – an overview
   • Taking a lump sum or regular income?
   • Annuities – what they are and how they work
   • Flexi-access drawdown explained
   • Leaving your pension untouched – the options
7. 07

   Module 7: Planning Your Retirement Income

   • Adding up your expected income streams
   • How much income will you need each month?
   • Dealing with inflation and rising costs
   • The 4% rule and other withdrawal strategies
   • Creating a simple income plan
8. 08

   Module 8: Managing Debt Before Retirement

   • Prioritising high-interest debt
   • Mortgage options in later life
   • Credit cards, loans, and overdrafts
   • When to seek free debt advice
   • Building a debt-free retirement plan
9. 09

   Module 9: Healthcare and Long-Term Care Costs

   • NHS care vs private healthcare
   • What is long-term care and who pays?
   • Care home fees and funding options
   • Insurance products for care costs
   • Planning for a healthy retirement
10. 10

    Module 10: Estate Planning and Making a Will

    • Why everyone needs a will
    • Inheritance tax – what it is and how to reduce it
    • Power of attorney explained
    • Trusts – a simple introduction
    • Talking to family about your plans
11. 11

    Module 11: Lifestyle and Wellbeing in Retirement

    • Staying active and healthy
    • Social connections and avoiding isolation
    • Hobbies, volunteering, and part-time work
    • Where to live – downsizing or staying put?
    • Adjusting to a new daily routine
12. 12

    Module 12: Putting It All Together – Your Personal Retirement Plan

    • Reviewing your goals and numbers
    • Writing your action plan
    • When and how to review your plan
    • Where to get further help and advice
    • Next steps – your first actions