As a financial adviser, you’ve spent your career helping clients plan for retirement. But have you stopped to consider your own retirement strategy? Many IFAs delay this decision due to client loyalty, regulatory complexities, or not knowing the best exit path. Yet with upcoming tax reforms and clear health implications of stopping work earlier, now could be the ideal time to sell your IFA business and retire earlier with confidence.
Act Now Before Business Asset Disposal Relief Changes
One of the most tax-efficient ways to sell your financial advice firm is through Business Asset Disposal Relief (BADR), which currently allows you to pay just 14% capital gains tax on the first £1m of qualifying gains. However, from 6th April 2026, this rate of tax will rise to 18%, reducing the net value of your exit. Selling before this deadline could result in up to £40,000 of tax savings, allowing you to retire with significantly more in your pocket.
Are you feeling the pressure of staying in the market?
With ever-changing FCA regulations, increased Customer Duty obligations, and rising operational costs, running an IFA business today requires more effort than ever. Many advisers are spending more time on compliance and admin than on client relationships. If the daily pressure is affecting your work-life balance or personal wellbeing, it may be time to consider a well-structured exit.
What does retirement really look like for IFAs?
Retirement for Independent Financial Advisers rarely follows a traditional path. Rather than a full departure from the profession, many choose to remain involved in a reduced advisor or a new ambassadorial capacity—acting as consultants, part-time mentors, or non-executive directors. This approach offers a rewarding balance between continued professional engagement and newfound personal freedom. Whether your goals include travelling more, dedicating time to family, pursuing personal interests, or giving back through mentorship, a well-structured retirement should support both lifestyle aspirations and long-term financial security. A carefully planned business sale not only enables a smooth transition for clients and staff but also lays the financial groundwork to help you realise your post-career ambitions with confidence and retire happy.
The Hidden Health Risks of Delaying Retirement
There’s a growing narrative — supported by some studies, including a feature in the Harvard Business Review — that continuing work beyond 65 can be less beneficial for life longevity. However, the reality can be even more pronounced, especially for professionals in high-responsibility, high-pressure roles like financial advice and being a business owner. For many IFAs, the cumulative impact of regulatory changes, complex client needs and business management can lead to chronic stress, fatigue and burnout, all of which are known to contribute to poorer health outcomes, such as heart disease, diabetes, stroke, mental health and cancers.
There is other research, including studies published in the Journal of Health Economics and by the University of Amsterdam, that suggests that retiring earlier may lead to improvements in mental and physical well-being. Reduced stress levels, more time for exercise, social engagement and personal pursuits all play a part in enhancing post-retirement quality of life and potentially longevity. Many advisers delay retirement out of concern for their clients’ uncertainty about what comes next. But with the right succession strategy, it’s possible to step away on your terms, confident that your clients will continue to receive excellent advice and service. Clients may already have concerns of who will look after them in protecting and growing their wealth when Advisers approaching or already of retirement age decide to retire or unable to work through ill-health. Therefore, they may already be lining up a replacement IFA relationship of their own choosing when you advise them of your decision to retire, which means any ongoing income for them would be excluded in an acquisition deal.
If you’ve started to think about retirement, now is the time to plan ahead. Whether you’re a few years away or ready to begin your exit now, selling your IFA business with the help of a specialist broker ensures you maximise value while protecting your legacy and your clients’ futures.
Build Your Retirement on a Strong Exit Strategy
Selling your IFA business is one of the most important financial decisions you’ll have to make. Getting it right means understanding the market, structuring the deal to optimise tax relief, and ensuring a smooth client handover. At IFA Acquisitions, we have years of experience of broking deals and specialise in guiding advisers like you through every stage of the process, so you can move forward with peace of mind and financial security.