TBH until fairly recently retirement was something that was still in the distant future so I've been happy to take big risks knowing theres time for the markets to recover, thats changed now. My biggest fear is a crash just after retirement, if its before then I can delay and wait to see how things recover, but if its after then I'm pretty much just living with the consequences.
Its not quite as bad as my post suggested, I do also have about 2 years living expenses in a cash ISA, and 10% of my SIPP is in property which is relatively low risk. But I am going to look at what other changes I should make given how unstable everything feels right now.
I agree, I probably should, and might. I'm reluctant because I dont feel like I've had good advice in the past, although that was arranged through work and free. Then theres a hassle of finding someone good, who will charge a reasonable fixed price. I've done a fair bit of research in the last few months and modelled out various scenarios and I reckon I've got a 20-25% buffer with just a very small drop in expenditure.
Yeah I am. But I'm keeping options open. Depending on market conditions when the time comes I might go for a blend (assuming thats possible) and get a 12 year annuity to give some guaranteed income until stage pension. I've thought about taking a second lifetime annuity using a portion of my pension to give a guaranteed minimum lifestyle, but based on family history I'd rather gamble and leave more money to the kids.