Taking the leap: Financial clarity when leaving a high-earning role

Whether you’re preparing to leave corporate life behind, scaling back, or stepping into something new – like launching your own business or becoming a partner – it’s crucial to have a clear view of your financial position before you make the move. Here are some of the key areas our team of advisers can help you navigate.

If you’ve built a significant pension through your employer – particularly in a defined contribution or hybrid scheme – it’s worth reviewing your options before you leave:

• Should you consolidate it? Many professionals now have multiple pensions scattered across employers, and it’s easy to lose track. Consolidation could offer lower fees, greater control, and clearer access – but may also forfeit certain guarantees or employer perks.
• Will your new business or partnership offer a pension? If not, a personal or SIPP arrangement might be essential to keep building tax-efficient retirement savings.
• Need a transfer strategy? We can help you understand the pros, cons, and timing of transferring old workplace pensions into a tailored plan that works for your new lifestyle.

If you’ve received share options, restricted stock units (RSUs), or performance-based shares during your tenure, now is the time to check the fine print:

• Are you close to a vesting event? Leaving too early might result in forfeiting a significant portion of your equity.
• What tax liabilities are triggered? Depending on timing, exercising or selling shares may result in income tax or capital gains tax charges.
• Do you need liquidity planning? If a lump sum or windfall is expected, structuring that into your wider financial strategy could help reduce tax and unlock future opportunities.

We help senior professionals manage these transitions with an eye on both opportunity and downside risk.

Group benefits often disappear the moment you leave employment. That might include:

• Life cover
• Critical illness protection
• Income protection
• Private medical insurance

We help clients identify what’s worth replacing privately, what can be deferred, and how to get covered in the most cost-effective and tax-efficient way. This is especially important for new business owners, where income can be volatile.

Starting your own business or joining a partnership structure presents both risks and opportunities:

• Are you losing employer pension contributions or matched benefits?
• Do you have startup capital or need to keep cash liquid?
• How will your income change – and how can your personal finances adjust?

From creating a director’s remuneration strategy to helping you reinvest a bonus or exit package tax-efficiently, we provide forward-thinking advice for professionals building their next chapter.

Whether this career change brings retirement forward – or just sharpens your focus – it’s essential to understand:

• What will you spend? Retirement Living Standards can give you a national benchmark, but our team builds bespoke financial models so you know exactly what’s needed for your lifestyle.
• How will you draw down income? We’ll help you weigh the pros and cons of drawdown, annuities, or phased lump sums – and time withdrawals to avoid unnecessary tax.
• Do you still need protection or investment growth? Retirement doesn’t mean standing still. Let’s plan for the future you want.

When high-earners leave a role, the stakes are high: pensions, protection, share schemes, benefits, taxes, and future income are all in play.

Whether you’re stepping away to reset, relaunch or retire, our team is here to help you leave on your terms – with confidence and clarity. Let’s take stock of your position and map out what’s next – for your wealth, your goals, and your peace of mind.