Achieving an early retirement

How has Callisto helped you?

I had been looking around for a new financial adviser since my old one retired. And Callisto helped me by putting together a package which fitted exactly what I wanted, and also listened to what I wanted first, and then went on with the compliance risk assessments and so on.

What’s it like working with Callisto? 

Working with Callisto is really good because I get all the information I need in a form that’s useful, and none of the stuff that I don’t need. So that means that I don’t have to put piles and piles of paperwork in drawers that I’ll never look at again. 

Describe the service that Callisto offers

Callisto offers a service which is a little different from most IFA, in that all the investments are controlled through one body called Transact. Unlike my previous pension adviser, where there were four or five bodies involved for the single pension, each taking their commission each year, this way is much more cost effective. 

What are the key strengths of working with Callisto? 

Callisto’s key strength is that they get back to you with the information you want when they say they will – there’s no messing around. 

What does financial freedom mean to you?

When I first met Andrew and Callisto, I asked him the question: “When can I retire?” I had a private pension scheme, and I said “can I retire at 60 or 63, or wait till I’m 66 when I’ll receive my state pension?” He looked at the numbers very carefully and said it doesn’t make much difference. So I was able to retire at 60 and that has given me the time to take up hobbies which I’ve not done for years. I used to be an amateur photographer. I am one again now. 

Would you recommend Callisto? 

I not only would recommend Callisto, I have recommended Callisto. A very good friend of mine has returned from working long term in France, and he’s also decided he’s going to retire. I recommended that he had a chat with Andrew and he’s now placed his business