Our Approach to Investing

At JPA, our investment approach is grounded in a fundamental belief in the efficiency of markets. Rather than depending on speculative forecasting or attempting to outperform the market through prediction, we derive insights on expected returns directly from market data. By leveraging the collective knowledge and behaviour of millions of global market participants, we allow security prices to reflect all available information—ensuring a disciplined, evidence-based investment strategy that prioritises long-term success.

What is a pension plan?

A pension is not solely a consideration for later life—it is a vital component of long-term financial planning. In essence, a pension is a tax-efficient savings vehicle designed to help you accumulate funds for retirement. Contributions are typically made by you, your employer, and, in many cases, supplemented by government tax relief.

Upon reaching retirement, you have the flexibility to access your pension in a number of ways. You may choose to withdraw funds as needed, or convert your pension pot into a guaranteed regular income for life through a financial product known as an annuity.

Since the 2014 Budget, individuals aged 55 and over have been granted greater freedom to access their pensions—allowing full or partial withdrawals at any time, subject to prevailing tax regulations. This flexibility enables more tailored retirement planning in line with your personal circumstances and goals.

Pension Review Service

As part of our comprehensive advisory service, we will assess whether your existing funds, portfolio strategy, pension type, and chosen product provider remain appropriate for your evolving needs. This includes a detailed comparison against current market offerings to ensure your arrangements continue to deliver value and align with your financial objectives.

Our review also takes into account key factors such as your investment time horizon, personal and financial circumstances, attitude toward risk, and capacity for potential loss. Any significant changes in your situation will be carefully evaluated to determine their impact on the suitability of your existing arrangements. This ensures that your financial plan remains robust, relevant, and aligned with your long-term goals.

Your retirement options explained

Planning for retirement should never be hindered by industry jargon. At JPA, we pride ourselves on translating complex pension and financial terminology into clear, accessible language. Our goal is to ensure that every client fully understands their options and can make confident, informed decisions about their financial future. Below, we break down some of the common terms you may encounter to provide greater clarity and reassurance.

What Does ‘Cash Flow Modelling’ Mean?

Cash flow modelling offers a comprehensive overview of your current financial position and projects your financial trajectory over the coming years. By analysing your income, expenditure, assets, and liabilities, it provides a visual representation of your financial outlook and highlights the path you are on.

This model requires regular updates to reflect any changes in your personal circumstances, ensuring continued accuracy and relevance. It serves as a valuable tool for identifying what is necessary to meet specific financial objectives.

Over the long term, cash flow modelling supports informed decision-making around saving strategies, investment timelines, and anticipated returns. It is particularly beneficial for individuals who wish to structure their finances efficiently, set clear goals, plan for the future with confidence, and minimise tax liabilities where possible.

Examples of how cashflow modelling helps

• It produces a clear breakdown of all your finances
• It shows you how to work towards your financial objectives
• It helps you achieve and sustain a level of financial security
• It helps you plan for the unthinkable such as death or disability
• It helps to minimise tax liability
• It analyses expenditure against income thereby reducing surprises
• It gives you a realistic basis for planning for the future
• It gives you an insight into risk regarding what you can and can’t afford to lose when investing
• It makes you think seriously about what you really need to save to live on in retirement
• It helps you mitigate taxes on death

Pensions & Divorce

Pension arrangements form part of the matrimonial assets and must be considered during divorce proceedings. As part of the financial order process (formerly known as ancillary relief), it is essential to identify all existing pension assets, obtain accurate and up-to-date valuations, and determine the most appropriate method of distribution.

This may involve pension offsetting, sharing, or earmarking (attachment), depending on the individual circumstances and what best serves the client’s long-term interests. Once the appropriate approach is determined, we ensure the efficient and compliant implementation of any pension orders, safeguarding our clients’ financial futures during what can be a complex and emotionally challenging process.