Welcome to Simply Pensions

We are a team of knowledgeable and experienced Financial Planners.

We specialise in providing bespoke recommendations to people planning for retirement. We offer comprehensive jargon free advice that is tailored to your situation, needs and personal goals.

Who we work with

As our name suggests, we work exclusively with people who are planning their retirement.

We have an in-depth understanding of their goals, aspirations and, most importantly, the best way to make them a reality. With this in mind, we typically work with:

People who are starting a pension
People who want to consolidate a pension
People who are retiring now

Working with us

We will make your experience as smooth and enjoyable as possible. Find out a bit more about why you should choose us, our client journey and the stories of the real people we’ve helped:

Why choose us?

We are an experienced family firm who specialise in working exclusively with people who are planning for retirement.

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Your journey

Each step of your financial planning journey is essential to the destination of your desired retirement lifestyle.

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Client stories

We’re incredibly proud of the work we do for our clients. Here are the stories of some of the people we’ve helped.

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Free downloadable guides

Our guides cover topics such as pension consolidation starting a pension and getting ready for retirement. The guides are available for you to read and download for free online.

Get your guide

Meet the team

We are a family-run financial planning firm based in Rossendale, Lancashire. Combined, our Financial Planners Gary and Stuart have nearly 40 years’ experience in the financial services industry.

Whatever your pension and retirement requirements, we are here to help. We are more than happy to meet in person at our Rossendale office or in the comfort of your own home, but equally we have been successfully holding meetings via Zoom, meaning we are available to people across the UK.

Stuart McNeil

Financial Planner

Meet Stuart

Gary McNeil

Chartered Financial Planner

Meet Gary

What do our clients have to say?

I am very pleased with the professional service that Simply Pensions have provided in the process of transferring my deferred pension through to setting up a SIPP and its ongoing administration. Stuart McNeil in particular has been extremely helpful, knowledgeable, honest and efficient throughout the whole process. He has been fast to come back to any queries and made sure the transfer was done on time with little fuss. I would certainly recommend them to anyone seeking pension transfer advice. Les, Whalley A client since 2017
I decided to seek financial advice as I had some money to invest and was approaching the age of sixty, meaning pension decisions would soon be approaching. As it can be a minefield, I needed someone with a good reputation; simply someone I could trust. Stuart McNeil was recommended to me and it is the best decision, financially, that I have ever made. Stuart explained all my options very thoroughly and is always able to answer questions of mine. Some of the advice is given in writing too, to give me more time to consider options and act as a point of reference later if needed. Using Simply Pensions has given myself and my wife peace of mind. Stuart is always available and always returns calls. Working with Stuart has benefitted us financially, which is the main objective. Simply Pensions have taken away all the stress of dealing with personal finances. Tim, Ashbourne A client since 2009
I have always found Simply Pensions to offer a quality, professional and tailored service. They are fast to respond, always offer the best possible advice and are a real pleasure to deal with! Paul, Rossendale A client since 2002
After a recent change of control within the company and uncertainty on future work prospects, being largely unsure on how to go about it, I contacted Simply Pensions for advice on how best to realise an annuity purchase on my work and private pension plans. After a number of extremely useful face-to-face discussions, subsequent analysis on what would be best for my individual circumstances and thorough market search for the most advantageous offers, Stuart McNeil was able to successfully complete the whole process within a matter of weeks. This enabled me to draw on a tax-free lump sum and monthly annuity payment with almost immediate effect. I found the help, advice and overall service offered by Stuart to be extremely professional with the utmost understanding and thought given to what was best for my situation. Jeff, Rossendale A client since 2012
I will always be eternally grateful to a friend of mine who recommended Simply Pensions to me. Not only because Gary and his team did a fantastic work organising my pensions, but they also explained and designed a pension plan which now makes me feel more secure about my future. Gary is a master in translating a dry subject such as pensions into very clear and simple language for people like me who could never understand this complex subject. Julio, Manchester A client since 2010
I approached Gary because I wanted to consider a Final Salary pension transfer and he had been recommended to me. I found him professional, clear, transparent and very honest. He took me through absolutely everything pros and cons-wise, which put me in a position where I could confidently make decisions around my pension provision. He made what is generally a complex area very clear and this enabled me to make the decisions I made with the benefit of knowing, and indeed finding out, how professional and efficient the review service is. I can now confidently plan for the future knowing that my financial arrangements are best placed to meet my needs, with much thanks to Gary. Jane, Alderley Edge A client since 2016
Having taken Gary's advice, I was able to draw a tax-free lump sum and pay off my mortgage 8 1/2 years early, and I was also able to leave a job I really didn't like and I am now in receipt of a monthly pension income, which I can reduce or stop at any time, subject to finding suitable employment. The decision I made following Gary's advice has given me huge flexibility and peace of mind, and the fund is still increasing in value. Darren A client since 2016
I had a pension to which I had been contributing for almost 33 years. I had no idea at all about how to proceed as it was very complicated. Stuart was very thorough; main points included how much I thought I would need per year and my thoughts on risk with regard to investments. Stuart took care of everything, giving clear and precise advice, and keeping in touch throughout the whole process. Thanks to Stuart, my life has changed significantly for the better! Retirement is the best thing ever and has opened up a whole new world for me. I couldn’t have done this without Stuart’s help. Irene A client since 2018
I was approaching retirement and needed good quality pensions advice due to the complexities of the subject. I've been a client of Gary and Stuart for a number of years so approaching the firm was the obvious solution. Gary conducted a thorough fact find to ascertain my financial situation, my objectives, my attitude to risk and the level of income I would require in retirement. The advice he gave me benefited me greatly, the one he selected suited my requirements in terms of risk and helped reduce my tax liability also. I would not hesitate in recommending the firm due to the superb service I have personally received. Phil A client since 2015

Meet some of our clients

Consolidation of pensions – Paul

Paul had just hit his forties and having saved into various personal pension plans throughout his adult years he wanted to make sure that his pension funds were best placed to meet his future retirement objectives.

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Starting a pension – Chloe

Chloe’s personal training business had just reached its 1st anniversary and was becoming quite profitable having secured contracts with several corporate businesses.  Now in her late 20’s she realised that at some stage it may be wise to plan for the future.

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Passing down wealth – Joanne

Joanne wanted to retire. She had been suffering from ill health for many years, therefore wanted to ensure her pension could be passed down to her daughters in the event of her death.

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