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Investment guide

Five ways to get retirement ready

The value of investments can fall as well as rise, and you may not get back the full amount you invest. Eligibility criteria, fees and charges apply.

Whether retirement seems a long way off or just around the corner, it makes sense to spend some time thinking about what kind of future you want.

Increasingly, many of us don’t go directly from working to being retired – and pension savings are now more flexible than ever, giving us more choice about what retirement looks like. These five ideas could help you get prepared.

1. Work out your numbers

Did you know that according to research by Which? in 2022 we need a £204,950 pension pot to retire comfortably? That’s based on enjoying a similar lifestyle as the average working income.

That same research says the average amount people have saved is around £75,500, so there’s quite a gap. A good place to start is by finding out what your pension plans are worth, so you’ve got a clearer idea of what you can look forward to.

2. Build healthy habits

Many of us look forward to retirement as an opportunity to make the most of our free time. A chance to travel perhaps, devote more time to hobbies and interests or spend more time in the company of family and friends.

Some people see it as the chance to start something new, like doing a degree or returning to study. Doing more exercise is another thing people look forward to, and it’s certainly a great way to aim for a long and happy retirement.

3. Pay down your debts

Now could be a good time to pay down as much debt as possible. Try to avoid carrying mortgage debt and credit card debt into retirement. Paying off your debt in your 50s could really boost your pension savings.

For example, if you can pay off your mortgage then take the amount you’d normally pay each month and add it to your pension. It could all add up to a significant boost to your income in retirement. 

4. Set some goals

What kind of retirement are you looking forward to? Increasingly, many people plan to stay active rather than stopping work completely – whether that’s starting a business, working part-time or volunteering.

Work out what matters to you, and when you want to achieve things by. Make a budget. Some costs will be lower, such as travel costs – but be realistic: don’t forget to think about things like holidays and entertainment.

5. Consider investing

On top of your pension arrangements, investing could be another way to grow your money for retirement.

NatWest Invest offers you a quick and simple way to help you make your money work harder and go further. Whatever plans you have for the future - whether you’re an experienced investor or taking your first steps, we’ve made it easy to get started.

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You’ll need to be a NatWest customer with Online Banking, aged 18 – 84 and a UK residence for tax purposes. 

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Learn more about investments

Whether you’re an experienced investor or just finding out what investing is, we’ve got a range of articles to help you understand more about investing.

We regularly update our articles depending on what’s happening in the market so check back for future updates.

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