Epping combines a traditional market-town High Street with fast links into London, which means a lot of the people we speak to there are juggling busy careers, family commitments and long-term plans all at once. We are based in Roydon, a short drive north via Harlow, and help Epping clients in person, by video and by phone.
A commuter town with the forest on its doorstep
Epping is the main town of the Epping Forest district in Essex, and the district council is based there. Epping Forest itself stretches south-west from the town towards London, and Epping station is the eastern end of the Central line, so it is possible to travel into the City and the West End without changing trains. The M11 and M25 are both close by.
Those links shape the financial lives of many local households. Commuting professionals often have generous but complicated workplace benefits; families have stretched themselves to buy in a sought-after area; and long-standing residents may be sitting on homes and pensions that have grown considerably over the years.
Three stages, three sets of questions
Building up
If you are earlier in your career, the big questions are usually about the mortgage, protecting the family if your income stopped, and making sure your workplace pension is doing its job. Kealy Ball can help with mortgages and protection, and our guide to family income benefit explains one of the more affordable ways to protect a young family.
Making the most of peak earning years
In your forties and fifties, income is often at its highest, but so are commitments. This is when planning tends to pay off: deciding how much to put into pensions, whether to use ISAs or other investments, and how to balance today’s spending against tomorrow’s security. Tax treatment depends on your individual circumstances and may change, so we look at your own position rather than rules of thumb.
Turning savings into income
Approaching retirement, the focus shifts to how you will draw an income and what you might pass on. We can explain the difference between annuities and drawdown, help you consolidate where that is right for you, and plan for later life. Start with our pensions page and the guide to the value of retirement planning.
For Epping business owners
Many of the shops, practices and firms around Epping are owner-run. If the business depends on you or a small number of people, business protection such as key person cover or shareholder protection can help it carry on if the worst happens.
Higher earners and the pension question
If you earn a good salary in London, pensions can be one of the most tax-efficient ways to save for the future. They also come with rules. There are limits on how much can be paid in each year with tax relief, and those limits can be lower for people with higher incomes. Bonuses, salary sacrifice arrangements and employer contributions all come into the calculation.
Getting it wrong can mean an unexpected tax bill, while being too cautious can mean missing out on relief you were entitled to. We can look at your earnings, your workplace scheme and any other pensions, and help you decide how much to contribute and where. Tax treatment depends on your individual circumstances and may be subject to change.
Moving out to Epping
Some of the people we speak to have recently moved to Epping from London, often to find more space for a growing family. A move like that is a good point to take stock: the mortgage is likely to be larger, the commute may be longer, and family life may be about to change. Kealy can help with the mortgage and with making sure your life and income cover keeps pace with the new commitments.
Getting started
You can book a free Google Meet video call online with Laurence or Kealy. If you would prefer a phone call or a meeting at our office in Roydon, ring 0333 011 5550, or send a message through our contact page.
Also near Epping
Harlow & Old Harlow
North of Epping, just across the M11.
Waltham Abbey
West of Epping, on the edge of the Lee Valley.
Essex
All the Essex towns we serve.
Areas we cover
Our full list of towns and villages.
A straightforward first conversation
No obligation and no pressure. Tell us where you are and what you would like to achieve, and we will tell you honestly whether and how we can help.
Book a free first conversationImportant — the risks
The performance of your investments is subject to risk. Its performance may fluctuate based on movements in the market and economic conditions. Capital is at risk. Currency movements may also affect the value of investments. You may get back less than you originally invested. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. Tax treatment is based on an individual’s unique circumstances and may be subject to change.
A pension is a long-term investment — the fund value may fluctuate and can go down, and your eventual income may depend on the size of the fund at retirement, future interest rates and tax legislation.
Think carefully before securing debts against your home. Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage or any other debt secured on it. Please note that some mortgages, such as commercial buy-to-lets, are not regulated by the FCA.
Frequently asked questions
Do you have an office in Epping?
No. Our office is at Lynfield, Harlow Road, Roydon, Harlow CM19 5HH, a short drive from Epping via Harlow. Many Epping clients meet us by video call or phone instead.
Can you help with my workplace pension and benefits?
Yes. We can look at your workplace pension alongside any other savings and explain how it fits into your wider plans.
Do you advise on investments outside pensions?
Yes, including ISAs and other investments. The value of investments can fall as well as rise and you may get back less than you invest.
Are there limits on how much I can pay into my pension?
Yes. There are annual limits on tax-relieved pension contributions, and they can be lower for higher earners. The rules depend on your circumstances and can change, so we look at your own position.
Is the first meeting free?
Yes. The first conversation is free and with no obligation.
Laurence leads on pensions, investments and business protection. More about Laurence.
Important: This page is general information about the areas we serve and the services we offer. It is not personal financial advice. For advice on your specific circumstances, please get in touch.