The Importance of Financial Advisers

Lyfeguard co-founder Fraser Stewart recently spoke to the Daily Express, emphasising the importance of independent financial advisers (IFAs) in helping Britons plan for their pensions and retirement income.

Many UK citizens, even those in their 40s and 50s, lack proper pension plans. Stewart cited statistics showing that most Britons don't consider taking out a pension until age 29, with only 60% of those in their 30s and 63% of those in their 40s and 50s having a pension plan in place.

IFAs can provide advice on investments, savings, and pensions, assisting clients in making informed financial decisions and planning for their future. Contrary to the stereotype that financial planning is only for the wealthy, Stewart believes it should be considered by everyone. He suggests people seek professional advice for pension planning aspects, such as workplace pensions, auto-enrolment, and self-invested personal pensions.

Financial journalist Martin Lewis also encouraged people looking to reassess their pensions to consult an IFA or a chartered financial planner.

To find a reputable IFA, individuals should check the Financial Conduct Authority register and consider recommendations from family and friends. Search engines like Unbiased.co.uk can help locate local IFAs. Before committing, it's advised to speak to multiple IFAs and ask important questions about their qualifications and areas of expertise.

Find out more in the Daily Express article here.

Why this matters

The article reinforced a point that remains central to Lyfeguard’s work with financial advisers: good advice depends on clients having clear, accessible and up-to-date information about their wider financial life.

By helping people organise important records and share relevant details with trusted professionals, Lyfeguard supports more informed conversations around planning, pensions and long-term resilience.

About Lyfeguard

Lyfeguard is a secure digital platform that helps individuals, families and the professionals who support them organise, protect and share life’s essential information. By bringing important records, financial details and personal documents into one structured place, Lyfeguard supports everyday organisation as well as preparedness for major life events.

For professional firms, Lyfeguard helps turn fragmented client information into structured, permissioned insight. This gives advisers and client-facing teams a clearer view of the people they support, while helping clients keep essential information organised and accessible when it matters.