The 12 big money questions to ask a financial adviser

WHEN planning your finances, there are particular ‘must-sort’ money challenges to consider. These may vary from person to person but there are some questions that many of us need answering. 

Who better to pose those to than a financial adviser? We think these 12 questions are a good place to start.
 

1. How can I provide enough money for the needs of my financial dependents in the event of my death? And how can I organise things to equip others to deal with my financial and material possessions after I’ve gone? 
2. Will I have enough money (and be able to deal with my finances) if I can’t work (or look after my family or home) due to an accident or illness? 
3. How do I know if I have enough accessible savings to cover short-term emergencies, like a temporary loss of work or expensive repairs to my car or home? What are my options? 
4. What’s the best way of optimising my State Pension and other state benefit entitlements? 
5. Should I pay off (or be on track to pay off) any credit card or other expensive debts I have? 
6. Should I repay (or be on track to repay) my mortgage before I retire? 
7. How do I build a big enough pot of money in pensions and other investments to stop or slow down from work in the future? 
8. What should I be doing to save for any other life goals, such as helping a child through university, going on an extended holiday or taking a year off from work to do something I’ve always wanted to do? 
9. Am I making sensible use of my investments to offset the risks from inflation over the long term to make it easier to achieve my goals? 
10. How can I put my tax-free allowances and tax-advantaged savings, investment and pension products to best use? 
11. Can you help me understand the costs for the management of my investments and how they can be reduced? 
12. How can I develop a robust plan to deliver a sustainable income from my pensions and other savings in retirement?
     

Want to talk to a financial adviser?

If this has got you thinking, you can read more about financial advice here. The first step is a free informal chat with an adviser where you’ll decide if financial advice is right for you. If this sounds like something you’re interested in, you can request a call back here.

Important information - investors should note that the views expressed may no longer be current and may have already been acted upon. Tax treatment depends on individual circumstances and all tax rules may change in the future. Withdrawals from a pension product will not be possible until you reach age 55 (57 from 2028). This information is not a personal recommendation for any particular investment. If you are unsure about the suitability of an investment you should speak to one of Fidelity’s advisers or an authorised financial adviser of your choice.