Client stories
Three clients. Three different starting points.
What was going on, what we did, and what changed. Names have been changed to protect privacy.
For you if: you're a senior executive with RSUs, wondering when work could be optional
Dave earned over £260k, mostly in RSUs. He wasn't sure work could ever be optional.
"We earn well but finally have a strategy that connects everything together."
Dave, 46, and Sarah
Senior executive, multinational
Meetings: online
£260k+
income, most of it in RSUs
£1m → £2.5m+
projected assets at 60, driven by higher contributions
By 60
on track to make work optional [or new Freedom Age]
The situation
High income, a lot of travel, and most of his pay in RSUs. Workplace pensions and a buy-to-let, but no clear sense of how any of it fitted together. He found Work to Live on LinkedIn.
The question
Could work be optional by 60, while still enjoying life now and supporting the children?
The situation
- Started with their priorities, then built the plan around them.
- His pension contributions were capped by his income, so vested RSUs went into ISAs and investments, with a clear rule for every vest.
- Paid down the mortgage as rates rose.
- Protected his income, including the RSU portion.
What changed
Projected assets at 60 went from around £1m to over £2.5m, mainly because of higher contributions. They're on track to make work optional by 60, and spending more on holidays now.
Individual example, not a typical outcome. Names changed. Projections are based on assumptions about growth, inflation and contributions and are not guaranteed. The FCA does not regulate cashflow planning. [ValidPath approval ref]
For you if: you've left, or are thinking of leaving, a senior role to work for yourself
Josh left a salaried role to run his own consultancy. They wanted to know he'd never have to work again unless he chose to.
[Client quote, with consent]
Josh and Mandy
Consultancy owners, working together
Meetings: online and face to face
£750k
in pensions, with no clear sense of what it meant
£31,800
corporation tax saved on lump-sum pension contributions
5 years
on track to make work optional, though Josh plans to keep working
The situation
Around £750,000 in pensions with a previous adviser whose approach felt investment-heavy and impersonal. They love to travel, and wanted to know how much was enough.
The question
How much do we need so Josh never has to work again unless he wants to, and can we travel more now without putting that at risk?
The situation
- Got clear on their spending now and in the future.
- Worked out what the business could contribute: £30,000 each a year into pensions kept them on track.
- Consolidated their pensions to keep things simple, at lower cost.
- Put protection in place so Josh's ability to work wasn't a single point of failure.
What changed
£60,000 each paid into pensions from the business, saving £31,800 in corporation tax, plus £3,000 a month ongoing (about £9,000 a year in corporation tax at 25%). They're now spending more on travel, knowing where they stand.
Individual example, not a typical outcome. Names changed. Tax treatment depends on individual circumstances and may change. A pension is a long-term investment and its value is not guaranteed. The FCA does not regulate cashflow planning. [ValidPath approval ref]
For you if: you own a business and want to know whether your personal finances are ready
Julia and Mark had been avoiding their finances. Now Mark has stepped back from his business.
"My only regret? We should have got this advice 10 years earlier."
Julia and Mark, late 40s
Two businesses
Meetings: in person
£150k
company pension contributions for Julia over two years
~£37,500
corporation tax saved
Stepped back
Mark has left day-to-day work in his business
The situation
Several pensions they didn't understand, and one business paying rent to a third-party landlord. They'd been avoiding their finances, worried about what they might find.
The question
Could they stop working at 60 without giving up the life they enjoy now?
The situation
- Planned their spending now and later first.
- Set up pensions that bought a commercial property, so their business now pays rent into their own pensions.
- Made company pension contributions, including £150,000 for Julia over two years.
What changed
Mark has stepped back from his business. Julia is growing hers. Around £37,500 saved in corporation tax, and they're now planning a holiday home in Spain.
Individual example, not a typical outcome. Names changed. Tax treatment depends on individual circumstances and may change. A pension is a long-term investment and its value is not guaranteed. The FCA does not regulate cashflow planning. [ValidPath approval ref]
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