BUDDING investors are being offered the one-off opportunity of a free health-check from a top financial advisor – with the hope of unearthing the next Sussex super investor.

In a new initiative, The Argus will offer selected readers £1,000 worth of free advice on their finances, pensions and investments from Skerritts Chartered Financial Planners.

Ten people will be chosen to take part and their stories may be featured as case studies in Business Argus.

It is hoped the scheme will make people think more carefully about sound financial planning for the future.

Age is no barrier, with readers aged from 20 to 60 with a desire to review their current financial circumstances and take a serious look at the steps they need to take to create a stable future invited to take part.

Richard Skerritt, founder and managing director of Skerritts, said planning for a secure and happy retirement has never been so important.

He said: “If we look back 20 years, planning for retirement was simpler. We put money away each month, reach 65 and then take a monthly payment to keep us happy-ish ever after.

“Today it’s all different. We can take the whole pension pot aged 55 and live like a king or queen for a few years. At the same time, most of us will be working longer into our 60s before we can formally retire.

“Here at Skerritts, we believe that the landscape will continue to change and so it is vital to start thinking about salaries and pensions as early in life as possible.”

Argus editor Mike Gilson added: “Advice for young people about what their options is really important even if as with all of us in our younger days we don’t think it that important.

“I hope this initiative at the very least gives people something to think about.”

Skerritts are independent financial advisers and wealth managers which gives financial planning and advice to high net worth individuals, companies, trustees, directors and staff.

Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, Skerritts is based in Coleridge Street, Hove, and recently celebrated 25 years in business.

To enter, email hannah@skerritts.co.uk with your name, age, employment status, pension plan, what age you would like to retire and how much spending money you would like to have a year during your retirement.