Interview with Peter Langford, Financial Advisor and Founder of Langford & Partners
Journalist: Peter, many people start thinking about retirement far too late. Why is that such a problem?
Peter Langford: Because time is your greatest ally when it comes to building wealth. The earlier you start, the more compound growth works in your favour. Waiting until your 50s to invest seriously means losing decades of potential returns.
Journalist: What’s the first step for someone in their 30s who wants to secure their future?
Peter Langford: Clarity. Know what kind of retirement you want. Calculate the lifestyle cost, and then break it down into annual savings goals. From there, automate your investments — don’t rely on discipline alone.
Journalist: Many people fear they’re “too late.” What do you say to them?
Peter Langford: It’s never too late to start, but it’s too late to delay. Even small monthly contributions to an index fund or pension account can make a big difference over time. The key is consistency.
Journalist: What’s one mistake you see often?
Peter Langford: Underestimating inflation. People assume £1,000 a month will be enough in 30 years, but that’s unrealistic. You have to plan for rising living costs and potential health expenses.
Journalist: Your final advice?
Peter Langford: Treat your retirement like a long-term business project — with a vision, a strategy, and milestones. If you take it seriously, financial freedom becomes a choice, not a dream.
