A significant cash injection can do wonders for a retirement plan. However, the impact will always depend on several factors. The size of the lump sum is important, but how you invest it and your lifestyle plan matter just as much. Invest wisely, and it will turbocharge your pension; adopt a bad strategy, and you’ll squander the opportunity.
Jacob, 51, is in this fortunate position. After the oil and gas business he worked for changed hands, his workplace shares, previously held in a five-year scheme, were unlocked all at once. “Due to recent events in the world, the share price has rocketed, and the value of the shares was approximately £240,000, so I decided to sell them all with a plan to diversify,” he says.
He’s hoping that investing this lump sum will allow him to retire in six years or possibly even earlier. His wife, Aila, 43, wants to continue working, so for now they are approaching their retirement planning separately. However, Aila expects to receive a civil service pension and the full state pension. The couple are based in Scotland, so they pay Scottish tax rates.