Page 70 • The HERALD • 17th September 2026 v WE’VE BEEN YOUR LOCAL SINCE 1994 v ASK A PROFESSIONAL Over 50? It’s Time To Make Your Money Work For You by Michael Osman, Oyster Financial Planning Reaching your 50s is an important nancial milestone. Retirement may still feel some distance away, but the decisions you make now could have a signi cant impact on the choices available to you later. For many people, these years bring a mixture of responsibilities and opportunities. You may be helping children or grandchildren, paying o a mortgage, caring for older relatives or thinking about reducing your working hours. At the same time, you may be earning more than before and nally have the chance to focus on your own future. A useful rst step is to take stock. Gather details of your pensions, savings, investments, debts and regular expenditure. Many people have several pension arrangements from previous employers, and it is easy to lose sight of how they t together. Seeing everything in one place can make your position much clearer. Next, think about what you want your future to look like. Retirement planning is not simply about choosing an age to stop working. Would you like to travel, move home, support family members, pursue hobbies or continue working part-time? Your plans will help determine how much income you may need—and when you will need it. It is also worth considering the unexpected. Could your nances cope with a period of ill health, an urgent home repair or the loss of a partner’s income? Keeping an accessible emergency fund and reviewing your insurance arrangements can provide valuable reassurance. Finally, make sure your Will, pension nominations and any powers of attorney re ect your current wishes. ese matters can be uncomfortable to discuss, but putting them in order can make life much easier for the people you care about. Financial planning a er 50 is not about giving up life’s pleasures or worrying constantly about the future. It is about understanding your options, making informed decisions and using your money to support the life you want. A conversation with a quali ed nancial planner can help you bring the di erent pieces together and create a practical plan. e earlier you start, the more time you have to make adjustments—and the more con dently you can approach the years ahead. If this is you and you just want to know what retirement looks like for you and what else you should or could be doing to get yourself ready please do pop in and see us at Oyster Financial Planning in Hythe Village. Or call: 023 8084 8410 or email: michael@oyster nancialplanning.co.uk Peace of mind isn’t far away! Michael Osman, Oyster Financial Planning
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