There was a time when pensions for the majority of people who were lucky enough to be in a company final salary scheme were straightforward. You spent your working life with one company and then you retired, content in the knowledge your financial lifestyle would be protected.

Unfortunately life has become a bit more complicated:

• Stock markets do not always go up.
• People change jobs much more often, either through career progression, redundancy or they simply decide to change direction.
• Many more people start their own businesses.
• Pension provision has proliferated, and not all of these products offer good value.
• Companies get into difficulties and their pension schemes can be underfunded.

Retirement no longer offers the certainty it used to. You may have accumulated a number of pension policies over your working lifetime and you have no idea whether they are right for you or what they will provide you when you retire.

You may run your own business and have always dismissed the pension scare stories as not applying to you as your business is your pension. However, you probably do not realise that you are missing out on a range of opportunities to protect your growing wealth from the taxman.

Perhaps you want to be back in control. To understand when you could retire and what you need to do to maintain your financial lifestyle when you finally stop working.

Professional advice is essential in helping you prepare for the financial security you deserve. It is never too early to take back control of your financial affairs.