"I assumed I'd be working for another five years. I retired two months later."

Stuart and Helen discover that retirement isn't about the money - it's about what you do with the life it gives you.

I was in a job I wasn't enjoying very much. I'd reached an age where retirement was starting to cross my mind, but I couldn't see how it would work. My dad worked until he was 65 - that was just what you did. The idea that I could stop at 55 didn't feel realistic.

What I needed was someone I could trust. Not just with the numbers, but with our family. I wanted an adviser who valued us as people, not just as a portfolio. Graeme's name came through someone who'd already been to see him, so I went along.

I showed him my details - pensions, policies, everything I'd built up over 25 years working in IT at a large assurance company. I'd started out in engineering, switched careers at 30, and just kept putting money into my pension without really thinking about what it was building towards.

The shock was that it had built up to something significant. I just hadn't realised.

From October to December

Graeme looked at everything and the picture became clear surprisingly quickly. I first saw him in October and I'd retired by December. I'd assumed I had another five years of work ahead of me, but once he laid it all out, the numbers stacked up.

Of course, you want to make sure: you want to know you won't run out and you want to feel confident that your money is still working hard. But the financial bit turned out to be the least complicated part of the process. Yes, there were challenges - gathering old plans and policies, getting everything in one place - but the real work was more personal than that. It was about me, and what I wanted to do with my life.

Two retirements

“The financial bit was the least complicated part. The real work was about us - what we wanted from life, and having someone we trusted to help us get there.”

Helen’s path looked a little different. She stayed at work a bit longer than me - she was a mental health nurse - and when she did retire, she picked up some voluntary roles. Then Covid struck and she went back to work in a care home, earning again. Eventually she retired for a second time.

Graeme had to work all of that out - the changes in income, the gaps, the restart - but he was completely accommodating. That flexibility has been a theme throughout. Whether it's our jobs, our family circumstances, or something unexpected, he's adapted with us every time.

More than money

The longer you work with someone like Graeme, the more confident you become. He understands our lifestyle. He knows what matters to us.

When we first retired, we made some home improvements. Then I got stuck into the rugby club - it's a big community, something I've always cared about, and it's become a full-time ‘job’. The club has a fantastic community now with a million-pound turnover. Helen found her own rhythm too. None of it is lavish, but it's ours.

Graeme is more like a life coach than a financial adviser. He's a good listener, he remembers things, and if he's not sure about something, he'll say so - then go away and find out. There's no bluffing.

Decisions for the whole family

Our son Gordon has always been passionate about energy and doing something meaningful. When we started talking about alternative energy and ethical investing, Graeme was right there with us - he's clearly interested in the way things are going, and the information he shares helps us make good choices. These aren't just decisions for us. They're for our family too. And they're complicated subjects, but Graeme is good at making them clear.

It goes beyond the financial conversations as well. When Gordon was looking for a lawyer, Graeme recommended one. He's helped my brother too. It's more than just the two of us - he's holistically looking after our family.

Empowered, not worried

We never really worry about money now - that's a fantastic thing to be able to say. We put value on our money, we're careful with it, but we never worry we won't have enough.

When we go and see Graeme, he actually tells us to spend a bit more! It's about your lifestyle and what you want to do. We want to enjoy our money - not just for ourselves but for our family. Futureproofing the house, planning for old age, leaving something for the kids - those things matter to us.

If the markets dip for a few months or interest rates shift, Graeme explains why it won't make much difference if you're a long-term investor. He helps you focus on the right things so you don't panic.

I wouldn't change anything -this has been a fantastic chapter in our lives. That's where the importance of understanding your life comes in - being able to do the things you want, while knowing you've got enough.

He's empowered us. We're not missing this chapter. We're living it.