Financial Planning FAQs

Answers to common questions about pensions, ISAs, VCTs, and independent financial advice from Off-Piste Wealth.

What does an independent financial adviser do?

An independent financial adviser provides unbiased financial advice across the whole of the market. Unlike restricted advisers, we can recommend products from any provider in the UK. At Off Piste Wealth, this includes pensions, ISA investing, VCTs, and long-term financial planning, all tailored to your individual circumstances and goals.

How is independent financial advice different from restricted advice?

Independent advisers can recommend products from the entire UK market, while restricted advisers are limited to certain providers or product types. This means independent advice is more flexible and can be better aligned to your specific needs. Off Piste Wealth is fully independent, so we search the whole market to find suitable solutions for you.

Is Off Piste Wealth an independent financial adviser?

Yes. Off Piste Wealth is a fully independent financial adviser based in London. We are not tied to any product provider, which means we can recommend investments, pensions and other products from across the entire UK market based solely on what suits your needs.

Who regulates Off Piste Wealth?

Off Piste Wealth is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). You can verify our registration on the FCA register. This regulation means we must follow strict rules about how we give advice, handle your money, and treat you fairly. Your money is also protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme.

What financial planning services do you offer?

We provide comprehensive financial planning including pension advice, ISA investment planning, VCT investing, retirement planning, and long-term wealth management. We take a holistic approach, looking at your entire financial picture rather than individual products in isolation. You can learn more on our services page.

Can you help with pensions and retirement planning?

Yes. Pension and retirement planning is a core part of what we do. We help clients understand their existing pensions, optimise contributions for tax relief, and create a clear plan for retirement income. Whether you have multiple old pension pots or are starting fresh, we can help you build a strategy that works for your goals.

Do you provide ISA and investment advice?

Yes. We advise on stocks and shares ISAs and general investment portfolios. ISAs offer tax-free growth and withdrawals, making them an important part of most financial plans. We help you choose appropriate investments based on your goals, time horizon, and attitude to risk.

Do you advise on tax-efficient investments such as VCTs?

Yes. We provide advice on Venture Capital Trusts (VCTs) and other tax-efficient investments for suitable clients. VCTs offer 30% income tax relief and tax-free dividends, but they are higher risk and not appropriate for everyone. We assess whether VCTs are right for your situation before making any recommendation.

Can you help coordinate pensions, investments and tax planning together?

Yes. Coordinated planning is one of the main benefits of working with a financial adviser. We look at how your pensions, ISAs, investments, and tax position work together as a whole. This integrated approach often identifies opportunities that would be missed if each element were considered separately.

Who do you typically work with?

We work with UK professionals and business owners who want to make the most of their money. Our clients often have good incomes but limited time to manage their finances. Many are in their 30s to 50s, building wealth and planning for the future. We also have particular expertise working with sports professionals.

Do you work with business owners and self-employed professionals?

Yes. Business owners and self-employed professionals are an important part of our client base. We understand the specific challenges you face, such as irregular income, pension planning without an employer contribution, and balancing business investment with personal wealth building.

Do you advise sports professionals?

Yes. Off Piste Wealth has particular expertise advising sports professionals. We understand the unique financial challenges of sports careers, including high but short earning windows, contract-based income, and the need to plan for life after sport. We work with several sports clubs and organisations.

Do you work with clients across the UK or only in London?

We are based in London but work with clients across the UK. Most of our meetings are conducted by video call, which means location is not a barrier. We have clients throughout England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

How does the financial planning process work?

We start with a discovery call to understand your situation and goals. If we are a good fit, we gather detailed information about your finances and create a comprehensive plan. We then present our recommendations and help you implement them. Ongoing, we review your plan regularly to keep it on track.

How much does financial advice cost?

Our fees depend on the complexity of your situation and the services you need. We provide a clear fee agreement before starting any work. Typically, there is an initial planning fee and then an ongoing fee if you want continued advice and portfolio management. We are transparent about costs from the outset.

Is there an initial consultation and is it free?

Yes. We offer a free initial discovery call where we can learn about your situation and you can ask questions about how we work. There is no obligation and no charge for this call. It is simply an opportunity to see if we are the right fit for each other.

How are your fees structured?

We charge a combination of initial and ongoing fees. The initial fee covers the work involved in understanding your situation and creating recommendations. Ongoing fees cover regular reviews, portfolio monitoring, and access to ongoing advice. We can also work on a project basis for specific pieces of work. Full details are on our fees page.

Do I need a financial adviser if I already have pensions and ISAs?

Not necessarily, but many people benefit from professional advice even if they already have savings. An adviser can check whether your existing arrangements are optimal, identify opportunities you might be missing, and help coordinate everything into a coherent plan. A one-off review can be valuable even if you do not want ongoing advice.

When should I consider getting financial advice?

Common triggers include receiving an inheritance, changing jobs, approaching retirement, selling a business, or simply feeling your finances have become too complex to manage alone. However, the earlier you start planning, the more time your money has to grow. There is rarely a bad time to review your financial situation.

How often should I review my financial plan?

We recommend reviewing your financial plan at least annually, or whenever your circumstances change significantly. This might include job changes, marriage, divorce, having children, receiving an inheritance, or approaching retirement. Regular reviews help ensure your plan stays aligned with your goals.

Do I need an independent financial adviser in the UK?

Whether you need an adviser depends on your situation. If you have complex finances, multiple pensions, significant investments, or are planning for retirement, professional advice can add significant value. For straightforward situations, you might manage alone. Many people find a one-off consultation helps them get organised even if they do not need ongoing advice.

Is financial advice worth the cost?

For many people, yes. Research suggests that advised clients achieve better outcomes than those who go it alone, even after fees. The value comes from avoiding costly mistakes, optimising tax efficiency, and staying disciplined through market volatility. However, the value depends on your situation. We are happy to discuss whether advice makes sense for you.

What should I look for when choosing a financial adviser?

Check that the adviser is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority. Understand whether they are independent or restricted. Ask about their qualifications and experience. Get clear information about fees before committing. Most importantly, choose someone you feel comfortable talking to about your finances. A good adviser will listen carefully and explain things clearly.

What is the difference between a financial adviser and a wealth manager?

The terms overlap significantly. Financial advisers typically focus on planning and product recommendations. Wealth managers often focus more on investment portfolio management. Many firms, including Off Piste Wealth, provide both services. The key is to understand what services you need and ensure your provider can deliver them.

Can you help with pension planning in my 40s and 50s?

Yes. Your 40s and 50s are a critical time for pension planning. You likely have more capacity to save, and decisions made now significantly impact your retirement. We help clients in this age group maximise contributions, consolidate old pensions where appropriate, and create a clear plan for the retirement income they want.

What happens to my pensions if I change jobs?

Your pension does not disappear when you change jobs. The pension you built up remains invested and continues to grow. You can leave it with your old provider, transfer it to your new employer's scheme, or consolidate it into a personal pension. We help clients track and manage pensions from multiple employers.

How do I plan for retirement if I am self-employed?

Self-employed individuals need to take responsibility for their own pension savings as there is no employer contribution. A Self-Invested Personal Pension (SIPP) or personal pension gives you tax relief on contributions. We help self-employed clients build a retirement strategy that works alongside the demands of running a business.

How is my money protected?

Client money held with authorised investment providers is protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) up to £85,000 per institution. We use established, well-regulated platforms to hold your investments. Off Piste Wealth is also authorised and regulated by the FCA, which provides additional protections around how we advise you.

What are the risks of investing?

All investments carry risk. The value of your investments can fall as well as rise, and you may get back less than you put in. The main risks include market risk, inflation risk, and currency risk for overseas investments. We assess your attitude to risk carefully and recommend investments that match your risk tolerance and time horizon.

What happens if my circumstances change?

Your financial plan should adapt as your life changes. If you experience a significant change such as job loss, inheritance, divorce, or health issues, contact us to review your plan. For ongoing clients, we conduct regular reviews to ensure your plan remains appropriate. Plans can be adjusted as your situation evolves.