So could this finally be the time you make one of the biggest decisions of your life…and retire?
Neil Parker is the man to answer that question. As CEO and Founder of Stockton-based Joslin Rhodes Lifestyle Financial Planning, Neil and his team have helped thousands of clients grapple with this very question.
Many arrive at his Preston Farm office doubting their options, often saying, “I’m pretty sure I won’t be able to retire anytime soon… will I?”
It can feel like a bold move to take that first step and visit the team at Joslin Rhodes, but Neil and his team are there to guide you every step of the way.
“All your plans and hopes can start with a cup of tea and a biscuit,” Neil explains.
Or for those hesitant to dive straight into a one-on-one consultation, Joslin Rhodes also offers group workshops where their team of pension and retirement planning experts can walk you through the retirement planning process and the different types of pensions you might have.
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“We know how big a step retirement is,” Neil says. “That’s why we aim to make everything as simple as possible. We want to give you the breathing space you need to take it all in and decide what you want to do next.”
As clients build trust with the team, Neil often shares a single life-changing ask: “You’ve just found out you can retire. I understand if your first reaction is to keep working because you feel you’ve still got something to offer. That’s okay. But I want you to promise me one thing.”
He continues, “Every morning when you get in your car, put your hands on the steering wheel and say to yourself: ‘I do not need to go to work. I am choosing to go to work.’ Then start the ignition and drive.”
This daily affirmation is not about quitting immediately; it’s about reframing work as a choice rather than a necessity. Neil shares, “Six months later, I’ll often get a call from someone saying, ‘This morning, I said those 15 words, and I realised I didn’t want to do it anymore. I’m putting in my notice.’ They needed that time to come to terms with their decision because, like steering a supertanker, our minds don’t change direction quickly.”
January is a particularly busy time for Joslin Rhodes, as people use the quiet after Christmas to reevaluate their futures. Neil often receives emails asking, “How far away am I?” While financial readiness is a key starting point, Neil emphasises the importance of planning beyond the numbers.
“Some people will come to us with a financial calculation in their head, thinking they can afford to retire. And while that’s a great starting point, it’s essential to ask, ‘What do you mean by retiring?’
“It’s not as straightforward as you crunch the numbers, and we push the button. You don’t want to get up on that first Monday morning and say, ‘I’m retired…but I have no idea what I’m going to do now’.
It’s important to remember that retirement isn’t just about money—it’s about living your best life. If you mentally prepare for the change before it happens, the transition will be much smoother.”
To help clients prepare, Neil encourages them to create a “retirement diary.” He suggests sketching out a typical week, including the activities they’d do if they weren’t working. It could be as simple as shifting the weekly shop to Wednesday or helping with childcare on Fridays. “There’s a lot of time to fill in retirement, and it’s crucial to plan meaningful activities. You won’t be happy just sitting in front of the TV. You need a purpose to feel fulfilled.”
Neil’s 25 years of experience have shown him that men and women often approach retirement differently. Men frequently view it as a financial transaction, arriving with spreadsheets and numbers. Women, on the other hand, tend to prioritise the emotional aspects—spending more time with family and friends, for instance—and often see finances as secondary.
He explains though that everyone falls into one of three categories when it comes to retirement readiness. “You’re either not enough, just enough, or more than enough,” he says.
If someone isn’t financially ready, they can use that knowledge to plan. Perhaps they’ll need to work another five years or adjust their lifestyle to retire earlier.
For those who are just enough, knowing they can retire brings immense relief. And for the “more than enough” welcome to retirement!”
“Our job at Joslin Rhodes is to open doors,” Neil says. “You don’t have to walk through them right away. You can look inside and then close again if you wish. But knowing those doors are there can be a massive relief and give you a great sense of achievement when the time comes.”
Starting to get your head around all of that has to be worth a cup of tea and a biscuit – doesn’t it?