Karen and Dick

Client name(s): Karen & Dick Faithfull

Client location (city/county): Shipston on Stour, Warwickshire

Client since (year): 1995

Client type: Business owner

Karen and Dick have been together since 1995 and married in 2007. Karen, now 64, worked in the public sector for half of her working life, and was self-employed for the remainder. This meant that she had a mix of company pensions along with a small private pension.

Dick is 62. He worked as an Agricultural Advisor in the public sector for half of his working life, and in the same role as a self-employed contractor for the remainder. He had a pension from his previous employment and a small portfolio of share investments.

The couple jointly have a portfolio of domestic rental properties, which provide a supplementary income.

What prompted Karen and Dick to seek financial advice?

Very wisely, Karen and Dick decided 30 years ago, that they needed to start considering how best to be financially secure when they reached their sixties; ideally with a simplified portfolio of investment and savings.

How did Chris help?

Chris consolidated their pensions so that they each had an individual pension and savings portfolio that projected the gains they hoped to achieve. Dick says: “At the start of the process it seemed a bit of a long term objective, but over the years, Chris has listened to our ideas and suggestions and put into place the necessary strategies to achieve our goals.”

How have Karen and Dick benefited from our advice?

Two years ago, Karen and Dick decided that they wanted to reduce their working schedules and look forward to the next stage of their lives. They met with Chris and shared their plans.

He then further advised and consolidated their investments and pensions. 12 months ago, they relocated to the Cotswolds with the confidence that their financial position is comfortable.

Karen finished full time work when she was 60 and is now semi-retired, managing the day to day administration on their rental property portfolio. Dick is also semi-retired, working by choice, around two days a week as an advisor.

In Karen’s words: “We lead an active life and enjoy activities that we can comfortably afford to do. These include being away for around five months of the year travelling, visiting our French cottage, adventure holidaying and experiencing new activities.  We own a property in France and have a motorhome which are things that 30 years ago, we only dared hope to achieve.”