FAQs
Section 1 – About Navigate
Who are Navigate IFA?
Navigate IFA is an independent financial planning firm based in Belfast. We help individuals, couples and business owners make better long-term financial decisions by bringing together pensions, investments, tax planning, protection, retirement income and estate planning into one clear plan.
Are Navigate IFA independent financial advisers?
Yes. Navigate IFA is independent, which means we are not restricted to one provider or a narrow panel of products. Our advice is based on your circumstances, objectives and the wider financial plan, not on promoting a particular provider or investment solution.
Who regulates your financial advice services?
Navigate IFA is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. You can check our details on the FCA Register. Regulated advice means we must follow FCA rules and act in your best interests when providing personal financial advice.
Where are meetings held?
Meetings are usually held at our Belfast office or by video call. We do not need to meet in person for every stage of the process, but we do need enough information to understand your full financial position properly.
Do you have parking?
Yes. Parking is available in the first three spaces on the right-hand side of the car park. If you are visiting our office for the first time and are unsure where to go, please contact us before your meeting.
How do I book an initial consultation?
You can book an initial consultation by calling us on 02890 769 769 or by using the contact form on our website. The first conversation is designed to understand whether we are likely to be the right fit for you before either side commits to the next stage.
Section 2- Working With Us
What happens in the first meeting?
The first meeting is a no-cost, no-obligation conversation. We use it to understand your current position, what you want to achieve, where you feel uncertain, and whether our financial planning service is likely to add meaningful value.
Do I need to bring anything to the first meeting?
You do not need to bring detailed paperwork to the first meeting. If we agree to move forward, we will then ask for more information about your pensions, investments, savings, income, expenditure, tax position, protection, debts and wider family circumstances.
Am I under any obligation after the first meeting?
No. The first meeting is simply a chance for you to understand how we work and for us to assess whether we can help. If we believe we can add value, we will explain the next steps and provide details of the likely costs before any paid work begins.
How long does the financial planning process take?
The process depends on the complexity of your circumstances. A straightforward plan may move relatively quickly, while cases involving multiple pensions, business interests, tax planning, estate planning or retirement income modelling will take longer because the advice needs to be properly researched, tested and documented.
Who will look after me?
You will be looked after by the Navigate team, not just one individual. You will have a financial planner and client manager involved in your case, so there is continuity, support and oversight throughout the planning process and any ongoing relationship.
What happens if my financial planner is away?
Your financial plan is supported by the wider Navigate team. If your usual planner is unavailable, your client manager or another member of the team can help with urgent queries, administration and next steps, so your financial planning does not rely on one person being available at all times.
How do you keep my information secure?
We take data security seriously and use secure systems to handle personal and financial information. We will not ask you to send passwords or security codes, and sensitive information should only be shared through appropriate secure channels.
When will you ask for bank details?
We may need bank details when arranging fee payments, platform payments, withdrawals or transfers as part of agreed advice or administration. We will never ask you to send bank details casually by email, and if you receive any payment request that feels unusual, you should contact us directly using the phone number on our website.
Section 3 - Fees and Fit
How much does financial advice cost?
Our initial consultation is provided at no cost and without obligation. If we believe we can help, we will provide a written proposal before any paid work begins. Financial planning cost is based on complexity, with more complex cases costing more where there are multiple pensions, business interests, investment accounts, tax issues or estate planning considerations.
Who does Navigate IFA work best with?
We work best with individuals, couples and business owners who have important financial decisions to make and enough complexity to benefit from a structured financial plan. This often includes people approaching retirement, business owners, people with multiple pensions or investments, and families thinking seriously about tax, inheritance and long-term financial security.
Is there a minimum level of savings, pensions or investments?
We do not apply a rigid rule in every case, but our service is usually most suitable for households with investible assets of around £200,000 or more, excluding defined benefit pension schemes. This is because our work is comprehensive and planning led, rather than designed for simple one-off questions.
Do you offer one-off financial advice?
In some cases, yes. However, if your question is narrow, simple or mainly relates to tax return or accounting work, another professional may be more appropriate.
What types of clients are not the right fit for Navigate?
We are unlikely to be the right fit if you only need general guidance, help with a tax return, a quick product comparison, a one-off pension question, or basic budgeting support. Our service is designed for people who want proper financial planning and have enough complexity or assets for that work to be meaningful.
Is financial advice worth the cost?
Good financial advice should provide value beyond simply arranging a pension or investment. It can help you make better decisions, avoid costly mistakes, improve tax efficiency, understand how much you can afford to spend or gift, and give structure to long-term planning. Whether advice is worth the cost depends on your circumstances and the value created by the work.
Section 4 - Financial Planning
What is financial planning?
Financial planning is the process of understanding where you are now, where you want to get to, and what needs to happen to improve the chances of achieving it. It brings together pensions, investments, tax, cashflow, protection, retirement income, estate planning and family priorities into one clear plan.
What is the difference between financial advice and financial planning?
Financial advice often focuses on a specific product or decision, such as investing money or transferring a pension. Financial planning is broader. It starts with your life, goals, resources and trade-offs, then considers whether any financial products are needed to support the plan.
What is LifeMap?
LifeMap is Navigate’s structured financial planning process. It is designed to help you understand what your financial future could look like, whether your money is arranged effectively, what decisions matter most, and what practical steps are needed to move forward with more clarity.
How do I know if I need a financial adviser?
You may benefit from a financial adviser if you have important decisions to make, feel unsure whether your money is working properly, have multiple pensions or investments, are approaching retirement, own a business, have tax or inheritance concerns, or want a clear plan rather than disconnected financial products.
What can a financial planner help me with?
A financial planner can help you understand when you can afford to retire, how to draw income tax-efficiently, whether your pensions and investments are suitable, how much risk you should take, how to protect your family, whether you can afford to gift money, and how your financial decisions fit together.
Will you try to sell me financial products?
No. Our work starts with your financial plan, not with a product. Sometimes the right advice may involve pensions, ISAs, investments, insurance or other arrangements. Sometimes the right advice is to keep what you already have, change how it is structured, or do nothing for now.
Can AI replace a financial adviser?
AI is useful for getting organised and understanding basic financial concepts. But it cannot replace personalised financial advice or provide regulated financial advice. It does not know the full details of your life, your tax position, your pensions, your family, your attitude to risk or what you are trying to achieve. A financial plan needs judgement, experience and accountability. AI can help you ask better questions, but it cannot tell you what is suitable for you without knowing you as an individual.
What happens if my circumstances change?
Financial plans need to adapt. Retirement dates, health, family circumstances, tax rules, investment markets, business profits and spending needs can all change. That is why ongoing review can be valuable, particularly where your plan involves retirement income, significant investments, business interests or estate planning.
How often should I review my financial plan?
Most people with meaningful pensions, investments or retirement income needs should review their financial plan at least annually. Some clients, particularly those drawing retirement income or going through major life changes, may need more frequent review so decisions remain aligned with their circumstances.
Section 5 - Retirement Planning
How much money do I need to retire comfortably?
There is no single answer. It depends on your spending, lifestyle, health, retirement age, State Pension entitlement, pensions, savings, investments, tax position, debts, inflation and how much flexibility you want. A retirement plan should model these factors together rather than rely on a generic target number.
When should I start retirement planning?
The earlier you start, the more options you usually have. Retirement planning becomes particularly important in the 5 to 10 years before you want to reduce work or stop completely, because decisions around pensions, tax, investment risk, cash reserves and income strategy become more significant.
Can I retire early?
Possibly, but it depends on whether your pensions, savings, investments and other income can support your spending for the rest of your life. Early retirement often creates a gap before State Pension or defined benefit income starts, so the plan needs to test how that gap will be funded.
What does a retirement plan include?
A retirement plan should consider when you want to stop work, how much you want to spend, what income you already have, how your pensions and investments are structured, how tax-efficient your withdrawals are, what happens if markets fall, and how your family would be affected if something happened to you.
What is cashflow modelling?
Cashflow modelling projects your income, spending, pensions, investments and assets into the future to help test whether your plan looks sustainable. It does not predict the future, but it helps show how different decisions or events could affect your long-term financial position.
How do you work out if my money will last?
We look at your assets, income, expenditure, tax position, investment risk, inflation assumptions, retirement age, expected withdrawals and potential future costs. We then test whether your plan appears sustainable under different scenarios, including market falls, higher spending, early retirement or gifting.
How can I create a tax-efficient retirement income?
Tax-efficient retirement income usually involves deciding which assets to draw from, when to use pensions, ISAs, cash and taxable investments, and how to use allowances sensibly. The right strategy depends on your wider financial position, so it should not be based on a generic rule.
What happens if markets fall after I retire?
Market falls early in retirement can be damaging if you are drawing income from investments at the same time. A good retirement plan should consider cash reserves, withdrawal flexibility, investment risk, spending priorities and the order in which assets are used, so short-term volatility does not derail the plan.
Section 6 - Pensions
Should I consolidate my pensions?
Pension consolidation can make planning simpler, reduce administration and sometimes improve investment choice or charges. It is not always the right answer, especially where existing pensions have guarantees, valuable benefits, low charges or protected features, so each plan should be reviewed before any transfer is recommended.
How much can I contribute to my pension each year?
The amount you can contribute depends on your earnings, existing pension funding, available allowances, employer contributions, carry forward, tax position and whether any pension allowance restrictions apply. Pension funding can be very tax-efficient, but it should be planned properly rather than treated as a simple annual maximum.
When can I usually access my pension?
Most modern pensions can usually be accessed from minimum pension age, which depends on pension rules and legislation at the time. Some older pensions may have protected access ages or special terms, so you should check the specific pension before making retirement plans based on an assumed access date.
What happens to my pension when I die?
What happens to your pension depends on the type of pension, your age at death, who you nominate, the scheme rules and the tax rules at the time. Pension death benefits can be valuable, but they need to be considered alongside your wider estate planning and nomination forms should be kept up to date.
Do you advise on defined benefit or final salary pensions?
Defined benefit pensions are valuable and should be treated carefully. We do not approach them as a standalone transfer exercise. Where a client has a defined benefit pension, we consider it as part of the wider financial plan, including income security, guarantees, tax, family circumstances and long-term retirement needs.
Why should defined benefit pension transfers be treated carefully?
A defined benefit pension usually provides a guaranteed income for life, often with inflation increases and spouse’s benefits. Giving that up can be irreversible and unsuitable for many people, so any transfer consideration needs specialist analysis and should only be considered where it clearly fits the wider plan.
Should I use pensions, ISAs or both?
Most people benefit from using a combination of pensions and ISAs. Pensions can be very tax-efficient for retirement funding, while ISAs provide flexibility and tax-free access. The right balance depends on your income, tax position, retirement age, access needs, employer contributions and long-term plan.
Section 7 - Investments
How should I invest a lump sum?
How you invest a lump sum depends on what the money is for, when you need it, how much risk you can afford to take, your tax position and what other assets you already have.
Should I invest or keep money in cash savings?
Cash is useful for emergency funds, short-term spending and known future costs. Investing may be more appropriate for long-term goals where you can accept market volatility. The right answer depends on when you need the money and whether you can afford for the value to fall in the short term.
How much investment risk should I take?
The right level of investment risk depends on your objectives, time horizon, financial knowledge, emotional tolerance for losses and capacity for loss. You should not take more risk than needed to achieve your goals, and you should not take investment risk with money you cannot afford to see fall in value.
What happens if investment markets fall?
Investment markets rise and fall as part of normal long-term investing. A properly designed portfolio should take account of this, but it cannot remove risk. The key is making sure your investment strategy, cash reserves and withdrawal plans are suitable before market falls happen.
What is a diversified investment portfolio?
A diversified portfolio spreads money across different types of investments, regions, sectors and asset classes, rather than relying on one company, fund or market. Diversification does not guarantee a profit or prevent losses, but it can help manage risk.
Can you review investments I already hold?
Yes. We can review existing pensions, ISAs, GIAs, investment bonds and other investment arrangements as part of a wider financial plan. We look at whether they remain suitable, cost-effective, tax-efficient and aligned with your objectives, rather than assuming they need to be replaced.
Section 8 - Tax and Estate Planning
What is estate planning?
Estate planning is the process of arranging your affairs so that your wealth passes to the right people, at the right time, as efficiently as possible. It usually involves wills, pensions, trusts, gifting, inheritance tax planning, life cover and making sure your wider financial plan remains secure.
How can I reduce inheritance tax?
Inheritance tax planning may involve gifting, using allowances, trusts, pensions, life insurance, business relief, charitable giving and spending decisions. The right approach depends on your estate value, family circumstances, timescales, income needs and how much control you are prepared to give up.
How much can I gift money to my children tax-free?
There are several gifting allowances and exemptions, but the tax treatment depends on the amount, timing, type of gift and whether you survive long enough after making it. More importantly, you should only gift money once you understand whether you can afford to do so without compromising your own security.
Should I gift money during my lifetime?
Lifetime gifting can be valuable, but it should not be done casually. You need to understand whether the gift is affordable, how it affects your long-term cashflow, whether you are comfortable losing control of the money, and how it fits with inheritance tax planning and family fairness.
Can life insurance help with inheritance tax?
Life insurance can help provide funds to meet an inheritance tax liability, especially where assets are illiquid or the family does not want to sell property or investments quickly. The policy will need to be written in trust for the planning to work effectively.
Can you advise on trusts?
We can discuss where trusts may fit within a wider financial plan and inheritance tax strategy. Trusts are legal arrangements and can be complex, so we may also recommend involving a solicitor or tax specialist where legal drafting or detailed tax advice is required.
Do I still need a solicitor for wills and powers of attorney?
Yes. We can explain why wills and powers of attorney matter within your financial plan, but legal documents should be prepared by an appropriate legal professional. Financial planning and legal planning should work together, but they are not the same service.
Section 9 - Business Owners
Can you help business owners plan for retirement?
Yes. Business owners often need aligned planning because personal finances, company profits, pensions, tax, business protection and eventual exit planning are closely linked. We help business owners understand how their business can support their long-term personal financial goals.
Should I make pension contributions from my limited company?
Employer pension contributions can be highly tax-efficient, but they need to be considered alongside company profits, cashflow, corporation tax, available allowances, retirement goals and access needs. The right answer should be agreed with your adviser and accountant based on your wider position.
Can you help me align my business and personal finances?
Yes. Many business owners make decisions in isolation, with the company, pension, investments, tax and personal spending all treated separately. We help bring these areas together so business profits are used more intentionally to support your future plans.
Can you work with my accountant?
Yes. We often work alongside accountants where advice involves company pension contributions, profit extraction, tax planning, business sales or inheritance tax. Your accountant and financial planner have different roles, but the best outcomes often come when both are aligned.
How can I extract profits tax-efficiently?
Profit extraction can involve salary, dividends, pension contributions, director loans, benefits, business investment and eventual sale planning. The right mix depends on your company position, personal income needs, tax rates, retirement plans and advice from your accountant. We can help make sure the financial planning side is joined up.
Where are meetings held?
Usually at our office, but we can also have meetings at your office or home (as well as virtually) should you be unable to come and see us.
Do you have parking
Yes, parking is available in the first two spaces on the right hand side of the car park.
Do I have to pay for an initial meeting?
To get started, we offer a no-cost/no commitment initial consultation to see if we are the right financial planners for you.
What do I need to bring to an initial meeting?
Nothing. This meeting is to get to know each other and see if we are the right fit for you.
How long should I allow for an initial meeting?
This initial meeting will last for approximately 60-90 minutes. The time will give us the opportunity to understand your current situation and gain an awareness of your future objectives. We will also provide you with an overview of the services we offer our clients.
Do I have to sign up to your services at an initial meeting?
No, there’s absolutely no obligation to sign up for anything. The initial meeting is just a chance to learn more about us and what we do, and for us to see if we’d be able to help.
How can I book an initial meeting?
You can give us a call on 02890 769 769 or get in touch using our online contact form.
Are you independent?
Yes, we are totally independent. That means we have access to whole-of-market products and providers, as opposed to a restricted selection. We feel that being independent allows us to give the best quality advice and provide more tailored solutions.
Are you regulated?
Yes, we are directly authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). You can view our entry on the FCA register here.
Can you advise on final salary/defined benefit transfers?
While we don’t offer this service ourselves, we work with a range of firms who would be able to help should this be something you want to explore.
What happens if my Financial Planner is away on holiday?
Your financial planning will always be looked after by our team. You will be introduced to your dedicated client manager at the beginning of the process.
What do you charge for a financial plan?
During our first meeting we will provide information about how we work with clients and this will include examples of how we charge. This will be followed by a written Financial Planning Proposal which will outline any costs. Our fees are based on the complexity of your situation.
What do I do if I am unhappy with your service?
If you are unhappy with our advice or any aspect of our services, we encourage you to contact us as soon as possible. We will do our best to resolve your concerns. Should you wish to make a complain please contact Darren Curry on 02890 769 769 or darren.curry@navigateifa.com. Alternatively, please contact us in writing to our business address.
Will I be asked for my bank details?
Yes, Navigate will request payment of fees when due and requirements for platform transfers. To help protect your finances and personal information, please take note of the following:
- We will never send or request bank details via email.
- Any payment requests will come from your Adviser or Client Manager and information should be sent via the secure Navigate Client Portal only.
- If you receive any payment requests – even if it appears to come from us – please verify it directly with your Client Manager or Adviser first.
- Always use the phone number listed on our official website, not one provided in an email.
- We will never ask you to share passwords or security codes
- If something doesn’t feel right – it probably isn’t. Contact us immediately if you’re unsure.
We take security seriously and have robust systems in place, but staying vigilant together is the best defence. If you ever receive communication that seems unusual or suspicious, don’t hesitate to get in touch.
