Do you want certainty, or do you actually want control?

Recent research from LV= shows that 3 in 5 over-60s prioritise "income certainty" above all else in retirement. On the surface, it makes sense—after a lifetime of work, you want to know exactly what’s coming in. 

 

But in my experience at Advice2U, what people say they want and what they actually choose in reality, are often two different things. 

When we dig deeper, the word most clients are looking for isn’t certainty—it’s Control. 

Control over: How much they take and when. Where their money is invested. What happens to that money when they are no longer here. 

 

A 20-Year Shift. If we look back 20 years ago to 2006 the retirement landscape was unrecognisable. Annuities were the default for the vast majority, providing that "certainty" but often at the cost of flexibility and inheritance. Even as recently as 2013, around 90% of defined contribution (DC) pension pots accessed were via an annuity. 

 

Fast forward to today, and while I discuss every option with my clients, roughly 90-95% of them now opt for a drawdown model. They value the ability to keep their hands on the steering wheel. 

The New IHT Challenge. This control has never been more vital than it is right now. With the recent announcement that unused pensions will fall into the Inheritance Tax (IHT) net from April 2027, your pension is no longer just an income stream—it’s a central part of your estate planning. 

 

Whether you value the peace of a guaranteed income or the freedom of flexible access, the "right" choice is only the right one, if it's based on professional, bespoke advice. 

 

Is your retirement plan built for certainty, or are you ready to take back control? 

 

Let’s have a conversation about making your pension work for you and your family.