Retire on Purpose: Practical UK Guide to Knowing When You Can Afford to Stop Working and Start Living

Excellent explanation and guide to anyone looking at retirement whether that is several years away, imminent or even after you’ve retired. All the important points you must consider especially in today’s volatile world are covered and I really like the simple but very understandable way they are presented and illustrated. Although, majority of financial and pension advisors, guides, etc are good, they can still be a bit technical and jargon heavy so I like the way this book breaks it down and very relatable to non-financial minds to guide retirees onto the right road and/or prep for speaking to a pension advisor. The best bit which is mentioned and emphasised several times, is the 3 phases of retirement which I absolutely agree with - so many people don’t enjoy the 1st phase of retirement overly worried about later and it’s massively important to fully embrace the freedom and opportunities leaving full-time work brings. Whether you’re lucky enough to have a good pension or not so good, we should be working less and living our best lives.

Clear, concise and uncomplicated description of various investment options and considerations when contemplating retirement. A number of these I have already taken on board such as spreading investments across different platforms to minimise tax exposure, and also thinking more clearly in my case about the key question “can I afford to retire?”. One of the other key takeaways for me is the realisation that we give up a lot of our hard-earned cash investment to Financial Advisors, and I have personal experience where FAs have added no discernible value whatsoever, always with excuses at the ready for failure whilst quietly milking your Pension fund! This is a must-read for anyone who needs basic, common-sense advice from an author who has obviously lived through the journey of building a successful, sustainable financial portfolio and this valuable experience should assist others to make more informed decisions and avoid the pitfalls that can have long-lasting financial consequences.

Fantastic book, easy to read and understand. This is a book you should read well before you are thinking about retiring. It has good practical advice that people need to know. I myself are 60 years old. This book has been really helpful in looking at retirement in a completely different way. I am lucky, i have invested in pensions since i was 17 years old. Even though, i have learnt so much from this book. By reading this book and applying the learning you with literally recover the cost of the book a thousand times over. Can you say that about other things you have bought? Why it is stuff not taught in school. It more useful than most subjects you will learn.

A great little book that’s easy to read and not full of financial jargon designed by that industry to push people towards paid for financial services. Firstly the author is not a financial advisor and the does not give financial advice. The content explores what you’d expect regarding the question “Can I afford to retire?” but covers the other important aspects such as the psychological and emotional areas of retirement and what to expect and how to think about it. For anyone that has been thinking about their retirement and what the future holds I don’t think there’s anything surprising or ground breaking in the content, but it’s reassuring to see your own thoughts written down and gives some confidence

Great book, easy to read and follow. If nothing else makes you think about directions to take and the impact decisions you take might have on outcomes you are planning. Marks writes in easy to follow and understand. Well recommended

I’m so glad i purchased this book. It is one of the most sensible and grounded retirement books ive read ( and I've read a few!). It focuses on financial reality rather than wishful thinking and breaks down complex topics to straightforward steps. A must read for UK readers approaching retirement.

I only wish this book had been available 20 years ago! It would have completely changed the way I approached long-term financial planning, rather than relying on my rather haphazard belief that simply working hard my entire life would be enough to secure my future. The book is thoughtfully written and presented in a way that makes complex topics clear and accessible. I’ve gained some valuable insights into how to make better use of both my pension contributions and my personal savings. In fact, I believe it would be enormously beneficial if the Department for Work and Pensions sent a copy to every UK resident from the age of 40. It has the potential to make a real difference to people’s financial confidence and retirement planning.