You might not think financial planning’s for you. But it’s never too soon to start thinking about it, and you don’t need a lot of money in the bank to get started. All you need to do is tell us what’s important to you and your goals for the future. We’ll then work with you, looking at your finances to make sure you can get to where you want to be.

What is financial planning?
Financial planning is a way for us to help you live the lifestyle you want, long into the future. We’ll meet you to discuss your goals and finances, then build a plan to suit you, with exactly the products you need. Then, once everything’s in place, we’ll work with you to make sure your plan is a perfect fit, throughout your life. The services offered as part of your plan include:

• Protection (including life insurance, critical illness cover and mortgage payment protection)
• Tax planning
• Retirement planning (including pensions, investments and annuities)
• Investments
• Inheritance tax planning
• Equity release

Why is financial planning so important?
Research shows that half of UK adults have no pension provision in place.* And that means that half of UK adults might not have the income they need when they retire. No one likes to think they might not have enough when they get older, or that they might not be able to provide for their family – which is exactly why you need to make some time now to plan ahead.

Without financial planning, you might not be able to enjoy the lifestyle you want when you retire.

* Source GFK NOP Poll for BBC News (May 2009)


After just a short chat with you, our expert advisers will search the entire financial market to build a financial plan that’s right for you. And the benefits will last a lifetime. From protection and investments, to inheritance tax planning, retirement planning and equity release, we’ll find the products you need to live the lifestyle you want, long into the future.

Our advisers will fit around you – meeting you at home, at work or in one of our branches, so you don’t have to make time to go to them. Make your appointment today. Call 0845 844 4150† or visit your local branch. Click here to find your local branch.

From time to time, life throws things at us we’re not expecting, so it’s important to make sure you’re prepared. Whether you’d like the reassurance that your mortgage will be paid if you unexpectedly lose your job, or you want to make sure your family will have everything they need if something happens to you, our independent advisers will find you exactly what you need. We can offer:

• income and payment protection, so there’s no need to worry if you can’t work. You’ll get cover for your normal monthly mortgage, other mortgage-related costs, and other household expenses. Back-to-work services are sometimes also available, including support to help you cope with redundancy, understand what benefits you might be entitled to, and find a new job.
• life insurance, which helps you ensure your loved ones are provided for, long into the future. The policy pays them a lump sum if you die during the policy term. So they won’t have to worry about money at what can be a very stressful time, and you can be sure they’ll be ok
• critical illness cover for you and your children, which pays out a lump sum if you’re diagnosed as critically ill. Use it as an income if you’re unable to work for a while, use it to adapt your home if you need to, or put it towards a holiday to recuperate – it’s up to you.

Retirement can be a really exciting time. You’ll have the time and the freedom to do all those things you’ve always wanted to do – but only if you’ve planned ahead. Our independent advisers can help you do this, with:

• long-term investments, so you can build up a fund that’ll really help you enjoy your retirement. You don’t already need savings to invest – some plans involve contributions as small as £50 a month
• pensions, to help you secure an income after you finish work. We can help you find a plan that suits your needs and lifestyle, and simplify any pensions you might have from previous jobs into one pension pot
• annuities, which use the money you’ve saved in your pension to give you a regular income for the rest of your life
• we can also look at your existing plans and help you rearrange them to work better for you.

We can work with you to ensure you pay as little tax as possible – both now and when you retire. Our advisers will help you make the most of any tax breaks available to you, including family tax credits and capital gains allowance. They can also give you all the advice you need to make sure your savings are as tax efficient as they can be. With so many pension funds, ISAs and other tax-free savings options to choose from it can be confusing, but they’ll help you build exactly the right combination, so you can enjoy the future you deserve.

Without careful planning, inheritance tax could be the largest bill your family ever has to pay.

In just a few minutes, our advisers can work out what the inheritance tax bill is likely to be for your family. We can then help you make it as small as possible, or get rid of it all together – so you can protect your family’s home and their future.

Our advisers can help you to unlock some of the cash from your home, with equity release. It’s a great way to top up your savings and your pension when you retire, releasing some of the money you’ve got tucked away without having to move. It’s worth remembering that this will reduce the value left in your house, and as a consequence you’ll leave a smaller inheritance for your family.

There are a few different kinds of equity release products available. Our advisers will talk you through all the options available, helping you find the one that’s right for you.



† Calls charged at BT’s standard local rate. Call charges from other providers, mobiles and outside the UK may vary.

Nottingham Building Society is an introducer to Towergate Financial (East) Limited for investments, pensions and protection. Towergate Financial (East) Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.