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Background | ||
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At present in the United Kingdom close to 600,000 people 'retire' each year. Less than 90,000 of them will receive a course on how to prepare for their 'retirement years' arranged by their employer. In many cases employees will have devoted all of their working lives (over 50 years) to the company and will have seen it grow from perhaps a modest size to now being an international group. | ||
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With such a small percentage getting help at retirement the task of introducing the concept of
mid-life planning becomes even more challenging and yet the sharpest companies as far as employee benefits are concerned have introduced schemes despite bottom line pressures - why? Because they have recognised that, so far as employee benefits packages go, the extremely modest cost involved measured against the goodwill generated; and the tangible help the seminars give to employees make mid-life seminars excellent value for money. | ||
What are the Objectives? | ||
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In the field of planning for retirement, it is generally accepted that employees should attend a course some 3-5 years before they expect to retire. After attending, the most general criticism over recent years is that, although the courses have been extremely helpful, several elements would have been more useful if learnt many years earlier. | ||
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Therefore the objectives of our mid-life seminars are to address eight or so topics covered in retirement courses that would benefit from action about fifteen years or so before retirement. These areas include: Lifestyle Considerations Health and Exercise Issues Options for Mortgages Pension Planning Qualification for State Benefits Wills, Trusts & Power of Attorney Guardianship of children/grandchildren Principles for Making Investments Residential Care for Elderly Relatives
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How Long does the Training Take? | ||
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We believe that a one-day seminar is quite sufficient to cover all the major elements mentioned. As those attending are mature adults it is not necessary to go into detail. Actions can be undertaken after the seminar as necessary through employees' own network of friends and business contacts. As part of our service to clients we include a free helpline following the seminar should anyone need further information.
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Who Should Attend? | ||
We consider that people should attend when they are within 15-20 years of their expected retirement age. Learning and retention of the information presented is enhanced susbtantially if the partners of employees attend too. Inviting partners is a practice we encourage and as our fees are charged 'per day' not 'per head' the extra cost to the employer merely consists of additional lunches and tea/coffee. | ||
What Style is Adopted? | ||
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Because we are largely touching on employees' personal financial affairs and lifestyle it would be inappropriate to lecture people. We try to deliver the material in a relaxed and informal manner using participants ' own experiences when possible. An experienced chairperson will orchestrate the seminar supported by at least a FSA registered independent financial adviser to comply with the Financial Services Act. Additional speakers may be used in consultation with the client. this may be to cover the company pension scheme or to give health issues a higher profile.
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How can Mid-Life Planning be Justified? | ||
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The Pressures on hardworking employees to balance work and home
life priorities are enormous. As a result important tasks such as
making a will or appointing guardians for children are frequently
overlooked or put on the back burner.
Prices Our prices are tailored to each customer's needs, and are based on length and date of course, frequency and content. Please contact us for further details | ||
Retirement Education Services Ltd. 16 St. Mary’s Street, Wallingford, Oxon, OX10 0EW
Phone: 01491 833696 Fax: 01491 839913 Email: training@res-ltd.net