Retirement Planning Specialist in Wellington

Whether you're planning decades in advance or preparing to retire soon, we help you create a personalised retirement strategy.

Based in Lower Hutt and serving Wellington, Helium provides expert advice so you can retire with clarity and confidence.

OUR SERVICES

Why Retirement Planning Matters?

Retirement is one of the most important financial transitions you'll ever make. A clear plan helps answer questions like:

  • When can I afford to retire?

  • How much will I need to live comfortably?

  • Will my savings and investments last?

At Helium, we help clients navigate those questions with practical, personalised advice. Our process brings clarity to your options and structure to your next steps, so you can move forward with confidence.

When Should You Start Retirement Planning?

The ideal time to start planning for retirement is now, regardless of your age or life stage. 

Starting early allows your investments to benefit from compounding returns, gives you more flexibility with your savings strategy, and reduces pressure as you approach retirement age.

It's not too late, even if you're in your 40s or 50s. A professional plan can help you make smart, catch-up contributions and prioritise your situation's most effective financial moves.

We work with clients from their early career years through to post-retirement, ensuring their plan evolves with them over time.

OUR PROCESS

How We Work

We begin every client relationship with a conversation. We listen to your goals, priorities, and concerns and tailor a plan that fits your life.

Our process is collaborative, transparent, and focused on what matters most to you. You are always in control, with professional support by your side.

1. Initial Consultation​

A free session to understand your current financial picture and what you want retirement to look like.

2. Strategy Development​

We create a clear retirement plan with specific actions around savings, investments, KiwiSaver, and cash flow.

3. Implementation

We help you put the plan into action, coordinating with any other advisers or professionals if necessary.

4. Ongoing Guidance​

As life changes, so should your plan. We schedule regular reviews and offer ongoing support to keep everything on track.

WHAT WE OFFER

Our Retirement Planning Services Include:

Retirement Readiness Assessment

How much will you need to retire in New Zealand?

  • When can you afford to retire?

  • What income sources will support you?

We analyse your financial position and goals to create a realistic, sustainable retirement plan.

Income and Spending Strategies

  • Design smart withdrawal plans for retirement income

  • Structure spending to support both enjoyment and longevity

  • Plan for different retirement phases: early active years, transitional years, and late-care needs

Estate Planning and Legal Considerations

  • Establish or update wills, powers of attorney, and advance directives

  • Ensure your retirement plan aligns with your broader estate and legacy goals

Investment Strategy and KiwiSaver Advice

  • Maximise KiwiSaver contributions (including government and employer matches)

  • Tailor investment portfolios to match your retirement timeline and risk tolerance.

  • Adjust your plan to suit market shifts and personal life changes

Tax Planning

  • Minimise tax on retirement income and investments

  • Optimise withdrawal strategies to reduce liabilities

  • Stay up-to-date with tax legislation impacting retirees in NZ

Health and Insurance Planning

  • Budget for healthcare and potential long-term care

  • Review insurance policies to protect your retirement lifestyle

We also help you explore less traditional retirement lifestyles such as downsizing, co-housing, and travel-based retirement. For some clients, unlocking home equity or exploring phased retirement options can be the key to creating a more flexible financial path.

OUR CLIENTS

Who We Work With

Helium supports a wide range of clients who are planning for retirement — each with their own set of priorities and challenges:

  • Professionals in their 30s–50s who want to build a strategy early and maximise KiwiSaver and investment growth

  • Busy Families juggling mortgages, kids, and saving for the future, looking for clarity and structure

  • Pre-Retirees (50+) considering whether they can retire early, downsize, or change how they work

  • Current Retirees who need help managing withdrawals, reducing tax, and adjusting to changing life stages

  • Small Business Owners and Self-Employed Clients who need to structure business exits and investments into viable retirement income

Jeshal works closely with each client to simplify decision-making, manage competing priorities, and deliver a plan that works in the real world - not just on paper.

TRUSTED ADVISOR

Why Choose Helium

Helium isn't just a financial planning firm - it's a long-term partner for your retirement journey. Led by Jeshal Patel, our advice goes far beyond spreadsheets and projections. We help people like you align their finances with their values, goals, and family needs.

What Sets Us Apart

  • Trust-Based, Relationship-Driven Advice: Jeshal takes time to understand what matters most to you and crafts a plan that supports the life you want to live.

  • Deep Qualifications and Experience: With Chartered Accountant and Certified Financial Planner® credentials, Jeshal blends technical skill with a grounded understanding of retirement complexity.

  • Clarity Without Jargon: Financial planning can be confusing — we make it simple. You'll always know what we're doing and why.

  • Truly Personalised Plans: Your plan will reflect your specific goals, family situation, and lifestyle preferences — not a pre-built template.

  • Whole-of-Life Support: From KiwiSaver to estate planning, we help you prepare for all aspects of retirement.

Our clients stay with us because we are present at every life stage - through changes in health, career, family, or housing. Jeshal's clients often highlight his ability to bring calm and structure to complex, emotional decisions.

We also offer retirement education sessions designed to simplify financial concepts and create a supportive space for learning.

If you're looking for an adviser who listens before advising and tailors strategies to your life, we'd love to meet you.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Financial Planning

  • It depends on your lifestyle, location, and expected spending. We help you calculate your retirement target based on personal goals, current assets, and income sources like NZ Super and KiwiSaver.

  • Start by identifying your desired retirement lifestyle, then assess current savings, income, and expenses. We will walk you through each step, from goal-setting to implementation and review.

  • The 4% rule is a guideline for how much you can withdraw from your retirement savings each year without running out of money. It suggests withdrawing 4% of your portfolio in the first year of retirement and adjusting for inflation in the following years. While not perfect, it's a helpful starting point for estimating safe withdrawal rates.

  • KiwiSaver is a great foundation, but it is rarely enough. We help you build a diversified plan that includes KiwiSaver, Investments, and other assets.

  • Yes. Retirement planning is not a one-time event. We offer regular reviews and updates to keep you on track through every life stage.

Take Control of Your RETIREMENT

Book a Free Consultation

Smart retirement planning gives you clarity, confidence, and freedom to live the life you want. Whether you're just starting to think about retirement or are ready to finalise your plan, we're here to help.