Plans changed? Updating your financial plan could offer reassurance

Even the best-laid financial plan might need to change at times. If you find yourself in that position, you might benefit from reassurance that you can still reach your goals and will be financially secure. 

There’s a whole host of reasons why you might want to adjust your financial plan.

In some cases, it might be a decision you’ve made. Perhaps you’ve decided you want to gift money to loved ones to help them reach their goals, or you want to take a higher income from your pension to fund a new-found hobby.

Other times, the changes might be due to factors outside of your control. For example, if you’ve been made redundant, you might need to create an income until you can find a new position.

Whatever the reason, it can be scary to change course. One cause of apprehension might be the fear of the unknown. Fortunately, updating your financial plan could help you feel more in control and confident. 

Updating your cashflow model could help you analyse the impact of the changes 

When you create a financial plan, one useful tool that you might use is a cashflow model.

You start by inputting some basic financial information into the model. For example, you might add the value of the assets you hold now, your income, and your outgoings. 

One of the key benefits of a cashflow model is that it can help you visualise how your wealth might change over time.

So, you need to provide information to allow it to create a forecast too. This data often falls into two categories:

• Your actions – These would be the financial steps you plan to take, such as how much you plan to contribute to your pension each month or the amount you’ll add to an emergency fund.
• Assumptions – Some factors that might affect your finances are outside of your control, so for these areas, you may make realistic assumptions. For example, you might review your pension and include average annual returns of 5%. 
  With these details, a cashflow model can project how your assets and wealth may change and even look decades ahead so you can consider long-term goals. 

As a result, cashflow modelling can help you understand if the steps you’re taking now are enough to secure the future you want. But it’s not just useful when everything is going to plan, a cashflow model may be even more valuable when you face unexpected changes. 

It’s important to note that the projections from a cashflow model cannot be guaranteed. However, it can provide a useful indicator and highlight where there could be potential gaps in your financial plan. 

A cashflow model could help you assess the short- and long-term impact of your new plans

So, you’ve worked with a financial planner and created a cashflow model that aligned with your aspirations. But now, your plans have been derailed. Luckily, you can update the information and model your new circumstances or goals.

Let’s say you’d previously planned to retire at the age of 65. However, ill health has forced you to step back from work five years sooner than you expected. You might have questions like:

• Can I afford to take an income from my pension in line with my previous plan?
• If I had to take a lower income, how would it affect my lifestyle?
• Are there other assets I could use to supplement an income from my pension?
• Could retiring sooner affect the value of the estate I leave behind for loved ones?

You can alter the information that goes into your cashflow model to help you answer these questions. So, in the above scenario, you might see how taking the same income you’d previously planned but five years earlier affects your risk of running out of money during your lifetime. 

You might find that you have enough to be financially secure and can move forward with your retirement plans.

Alternatively, you may find that your new plan might leave you in a financially vulnerable position in the future. In this case, you can use the cashflow model to try different solutions to understand what might work for you. 

By realising there’s a potential shortfall sooner, you’re in a better position to bridge gaps or find a different option, so you’re able to proceed with confidence. 

Get in touch to update your financial plan

If your circumstances or goals have changed, you can arrange a meeting with our team to update your financial plan. It could help you assess the potential long-term implications of the changes and understand what steps you might need to take to keep your plan on track. 

Please note: This blog is for general information only and does not constitute financial advice, which should be based on your individual circumstances. The information is aimed at retail clients only.

The Financial Conduct Authority does not regulate cashflow modelling.