From Ford Fiesta Dreams to Financial Freedom: Neil and Sue’s Retirement Story

In 1982, Margaret Thatcher was Prime Minister, the UK was in the midst of the Falklands war and interest rates were at 10%. In the same year, client, Neil joined Stockton Council as an apprentice housing manager.

“Back then, my goals were simple – to be promoted to housing estate manager and to have enough money for a nice life” says Neil “the manager back then drove a Ford Fiesta XR2i and I really wanted one of those!”

Neil’s career progressed steadily. Over time, he took on more responsibility, eventually becoming Chief Executive of the council. It was a role he describes as both rewarding and demanding.

“It was fun, but challenging too,” he says. “And I knew I didn’t want to be working at that pace forever.”

Like many in the public sector, Neil initially assumed his long-term financial future would take care of itself.

“I had no real understanding of pensions or lifetime allowances,” he admits. “Back then, the thinking was ‘work in the public sector and you’ll be fine.’ But that wasn’t necessarily true.”

“Many people in the sector I was working in were the same. The dilemma you face is if you sit there and think “oh I will be fine” you may be left behind. I remember speaking to Paul (Gibson) and realised I really needed a plan and to make some decisions now”

Neil says those early conversations about retirement impacted how he managed the last 15-20 years of his career at the council.

“In your 30s you casually think – what’s the plan? Kids happen and your landscape changes. Over the next 10 years we refined the plan and it gave me the flexibility to leave full time work” says Neil, who retired from full time work in 2019 before launching his own training and consultancy business and offering his time in various voluntary roles.

Neil and wife Sue have been together for 31 years – both having a daughter from a previous relationship.

“Sue and I found there are things you can’t plan for, things that happen that have impact. Your situation can change – always be open to change. We had discussions about where we wanted to live in retirement, what we wanted to do. Not just about finance. That was relaxing. It wasn’t formal – it was a gentle discussion”

Now semi-retired and with both daughters working full time, Neil and Sue get to help out (and spend quality time) with their three grandchildren – aged 6,7 and 8.

“Sue is amazing with our grandchildren – she does everything with them. She even made a map of all the play parks locally and they visited 22 (play parks) from Darlington to Stockton in one day! The kids loved it”

As well as spending time with his family, Neil is also now a Deputy to The Lord Lieutenant of County Durham – a role he loves “I get to meet and thank so many brilliant people who are doing wonderful things in their local community -it’s so uplifting” says Neil

“And last month I began a part time job establishing a support office for The County  Durham Lieutenancy in collaboration with Durham County Council”

So, is there anything Neil would do differently?

“I would have started planning for retirement earlier and I wouldn’t have been as complacent as I was when working in local government. It’s never as simple as “a job for life” – you should always seek professional advice”

And the best financial planning advice he has been given?

“I took out some lifetime protection insurance and it was really worth its weight in gold”

Neil and Sue’s story is a powerful reminder that financial security doesn’t happen by chance. It comes from thoughtful planning, informed decisions, and amending your plan as life changes. One thing is clear: the sooner you start planning, the more options you will have when it matters most.