Retirement planning – property investment strategies could be the alternative to saving

Maidenhead, Berkshire ( beforeitsnews ) May 4, 2013 – According to research just 46 per cent of employees were part of a pension scheme last year. This is the lowest figures since the Office of National Statistics started recording this information.

Last year, only 32% of private sector employees put money into a workplace pension, yet in the public sector nearly 80% employees were enrolled. Since last year workers have been automatically enrolled, and this is expected to improve figures.

Gill Alton runs Alton Property Partners, offering a residential investment property service to help you build a portfolio for a secure financial future. Alton Property Partners provides a comprehensive and personal Property Portfolio Building Service for buy to let investment in the UK. Gill believes that property as a pension could be the answer. She says:

“People have lost faith in the traditional pension, and the number of people saving in their workplace pensions has fallen dramatically with only 46% of employees taking up a pension. Of course the auto enrolment system launched by the government will have an impact on this number but as the amount that is being saved initially is very low, in the short term the impact on retirement funds will be limited.

“Of course there are those who are feeling the financial pinch of the current recession and hard times but there are many families who could prioritise their spending but choose not to. So why is it that those in Britain seem to put their head in the sand about retirement?

“Perhaps it is because the traditional route of the stock market requires a significant number of years for the effect of compounding to build a pension fund to a substantial value, and unfortunately we keep putting it off till tomorrow to start, and ‘tomorrow never comes’. However, even allowing for contributions from your employer you cannot expect a large pension fund to appear in a short period of time.

“The reality is however for many saving for a pension only becomes a priority when they reach around the 50 years old and their dependents have grown up, suddenly then retirement doesn’t seem so far off and the panic can set in.

“Thankfully for those who’ve left the decision to save for their retirement till later in their life there is hope. There are alternative routes, which can sit alongside your work place pension to deliver the retirement that you desire, one such route is to invest in property for cash flow. As with any investment strategy there are risks associated however with the right support and education property offers the unique ability to leverage the money of others to deliver a pension income into your pocket. As a property investor myself I understand the power of passive income, so if you are one of the 54% who do not take part in a workplace pension and are worried that time is running out for you, I would recommend that you take time to understand what property investment can offer you, and how it has the ability to rescue your retirement.

“All is not lost!”

Notes to Editors

Gill Alton is the founder of Alton Property Partners, which provides a comprehensive and personal Property Portfolio Building Service for buy to let investment in the UK. To find out how property could be the answer to your pension worries, and to find out more about property as a pension click here. Alton Property Partners manage the entire investment process, from sourcing property at a discounted value, co-ordinating the Mortgage, arranging the refurbishment, right through to ensuring it is ready for the rental market

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