{"type":"document","data":{"id":"12263d8a-44c2-4f31-bd51-7e82ed7966d9","localeString":"en-GB","publishDate":"2026-04-23T10:45:21.862+02:00","contentType":"onecms:categoryPage","hasMacro":false,"flexPageMetadata":{"afmBanner":false,"robotInstruction":{"noIndex":false,"noFollow":false},"description":"What does your financial future look like? By making conscious choices today, you create more financial freedom for tomorrow.\r\nSo, what’s your next step?"},"mainHeaderZone":{"componentType":"categoryHeader","coreHeader":{"title":"Plan ahead","subtitle":"What does your financial future look like? By making conscious choices today, you will create more financial freedom for tomorrow. What will be your next step?"}},"flexZone":{"flexComponents":[{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"Investing in your future"},{"componentType":"cards","cards":[{"componentType":"productCard","cardType":"product","cardSize":"small","title":"Pension","intro":"Would you like to retire earlier? Find out what is realistic","body":"Would you like to retire earlier? Find out what is realistic","image":{"transformBaseUrl":"https://assets.ing.com/transform/6dd25298-9d89-4937-b5d1-9b2ec8e3b44a/Blijf-rustig-in-tijden-van-onrust-2","type":"image","width":5220,"original":"https://assets.ing.com/m/1a3e5c70a332c9a9/original/Blijf-rustig-in-tijden-van-onrust-2.jpg","extension":"jpg"},"link":{"url":"/particulier/pensioenen/eerder-met-pensioen"},"promoText":"Schedule an appointment"},{"componentType":"productCard","cardType":"product","cardSize":"small","title":"Gifting","intro":"Everything you need to know before making a gift","body":"Everything you need to know before making a gift","image":{"transformBaseUrl":"https://assets.ing.com/transform/1e90e1ab-46f6-462a-9aaa-70a29defa389/A-happy-senior-man-playfully-hugs-and-rubs-a-man-his-head-on-the-beach","type":"image","width":3960,"original":"https://assets.ing.com/m/7ce40ae7144652ba/original/A-happy-senior-man-playfully-hugs-and-rubs-a-man-his-head-on-the-beach.jpg","extension":"jpg"},"link":{"url":"/en/personal/wealth/an-advancement"},"promoText":"Read more"},{"componentType":"productCard","cardType":"product","cardSize":"small","title":"Save or invest?","intro":"Which option gives you more in the long run? Discover it with the decision tool. And don’t forget the risks of investing","body":"Which option gives you more in the long run? Discover it with the decision tool. And don’t forget the risks of investing","image":{"transformBaseUrl":"https://assets.ing.com/transform/1f0ac8a8-5d20-4567-94ed-cbabc5ea746c/Your-budget-header-3","type":"image","width":1920,"original":"https://assets.ing.com/m/b40c07f5f1c893/original/Your-budget-header-3.jpg","extension":"jpg"},"link":{"url":"/en/personal/investing/investments-at-ing/saving-or-investing"},"promoText":"Go to the decision tool"},{"componentType":"productCard","cardType":"product","cardSize":"small","title":"Wealth management","intro":"Talk to an advisor about your financial future and see what suits you best","body":"Talk to an advisor about your financial future and see what suits you best","image":{"transformBaseUrl":"https://assets.ing.com/transform/a983a92a-4fa8-405c-aeaf-8cd140a83fba/Large_MS-PPT_Web-Two-female-coworkers-in-aprons-talking-at-the-workplace","type":"image","width":1920,"original":"https://assets.ing.com/m/5288e40dda5fc460/original/Large_MS-PPT_Web-Two-female-coworkers-in-aprons-talking-at-the-workplace.jpg","extension":"jpg"},"link":{"url":"/en/personal/investing/portfolio-management"},"promoText":"Schedule an appointment"}]},{"componentType":"paragraph","richBody":{"value":"<p><strong>Please note</strong>: Investing involves risks and costs. You may (partially) lose your investment amount</p>"}},{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"Frequently asked questions"},{"componentType":"accordion","accordionList":[{"title":"How do I create a financial plan that fits my goals and future?","richBody":{"value":"<p>Start by making an overview of your income, expenses and savings goals. Do you want to make your home more sustainable or retire earlier? Then look at what is realistic. Make sure you have an emergency fund for unexpected costs. Use the <a href=\"http://bufferberekenaar.nibud.nl/ing/introductie\">Financial Buffer Calculator (BufferBerekenaar)</a> to see how much you need. Anything you have left can be invested in your future.</p>"}},{"title":"How much should I save or invest to reach my financial goals?","richBody":{"value":"<p>That differs for everyone. It depends on your goals, how much time you have, and your current financial situation. Do you want to make extra repayments on your mortgage? Use the <a href=\"https://www.ing.nl/particulier/beleggen/beleggen-bij-ing/sparen-of-beleggen\">save and invest tool</a> to calculate what you need or schedule an appointment with one of our advisors. Investing can help your wealth grow faster, but don’t forget the risks.</p>"}},{"title":"How do I know whether I should save, repay debt, invest or give money away?","richBody":{"value":"<p>It starts with having the basics in order. For example, make sure you have an emergency fund for unexpected expenses. Use the <a href=\"http://bufferberekenaar.nibud.nl/ing/introductie\">Financial Buffer Calculator (BufferBerekenaar)</a> to see how much you need. Do you have money left over? Then you can look at whether extra repayments make sense, or whether investing is a better option. Keep the risks of investing in mind.</p><p>Is your emergency fund not big enough yet? Saving is a good choice. Your app can help you with this, by setting up <a data-type=\"internal\" href=\"/en/personal/savings/savings-goals\">Saving Goals</a>, <a data-type=\"internal\" href=\"/en/personal/savings/automatic-savings\">Automatic Saving</a> of <a data-type=\"internal\" href=\"/en/personal/savings/round-up-and-save\">Round up &amp; Save</a>.</p><p>Thinking about gifting money? Then explore which <a href=\"https://www.ing.nl/particulier/vermogen-themas/schenken?mcing==sep_gobr_perba_cur_d_br-do-perba&amp;account=private-banking&amp;campaign=S02&amp;adgroup=&amp;keyword=schenken%20ing&amp;gad_source=1&amp;gclid=EAIaIQobChMI7uXAp5KdigMVYpeDBx1KgDbsEAAYASAAEgKwNPD_BwE\">gifting options</a> suits you best.</p>"}},{"title":"How do I know if I’m on track with my financial planning?","richBody":{"value":"<p>Check your situation regularly. With <a data-type=\"internal\" href=\"/en/personal/digital-banking/your-app/insight/insights\">Insight</a> and <a data-type=\"internal\" href=\"/en/personal/digital-banking/your-app/look-ahead/kijk-vooruit\">Look Ahead</a> in your app, you can see where your money goes, and what’s coming up. This way, you avoid surprises and know whether you’re still on track with your savings goals. </p>"}},{"title":"What is the pension gap?","richBody":{"value":"<p>A pension gap is the difference between the pension income you’ll need later and what you’ve built up so far. This can happen, for example, if you change jobs, get divorced, work part‑time or take a sabbatical. As a result, you may have less income later. That’s why it’s smart to check this early and take action. Our advisors are happy to think along with you. Curious? <a data-type=\"internal\" href=\"/en/personal/savings-and-investing/afspraak-vermogen-en\">Schedule a free appointment</a>.</p>"}},{"title":"How can I top up my pension?","richBody":{"value":"<p>You can do this by saving or investing, for example. Want to know more? <a data-type=\"internal\" href=\"/en/personal/savings-and-investing/afspraak-vermogen-en\">Schedule a free no-obligation wealth consulation</a> with one of our advisors.</p>"}}]}]},"freeHeaderZone":{"flexComponents":[{"componentType":"cards","cards":[{"componentType":"productCard","cardType":"product","cardSize":"small","title":"Moving in together","intro":"Building a future together? Here’s how to get started","body":"Building a future together? Here’s how to get started","image":{"transformBaseUrl":"https://assets.ing.com/transform/5961fe6e-f08d-4c8f-9a3e-bbc7b41a47e7/New-house_Spot","type":"image","width":160,"original":"https://assets.ing.com/m/cb0b3a46e20b41f/original/New-house_Spot.svg","extension":"svg"},"link":{}},{"componentType":"productCard","cardType":"product","cardSize":"small","title":"Starting a family","intro":"How much does raising a child cost? Get financially prepared","body":"How much does raising a child cost? Get financially prepared","image":{"transformBaseUrl":"https://assets.ing.com/transform/ff046368-0724-4cd4-b30d-c06b28addbd3/pregnantwomanbathingwithkidnopadding","type":"image","width":1451,"original":"https://assets.ing.com/m/7a407659e818f0da/original/pregnantwomanbathingwithkidnopadding.svg","extension":"svg"},"link":{"url":"/particulier/kind/thema/hoeveel-kost-een-kind"}},{"componentType":"productCard","cardType":"product","cardSize":"small","title":"Renting or buying a house","intro":"What suits you best? See the pros and cons briefly","body":"What suits you best? See the pros and cons briefly","image":{"transformBaseUrl":"https://assets.ing.com/transform/4bd90348-3b93-4bd5-a603-f11f57ff0f9e/housemortgagemoneysolargreennopadding","type":"image","width":95,"original":"https://assets.ing.com/m/112a97befd9b018/original/housemortgagemoneysolargreennopadding.svg","extension":"svg"},"link":{"url":"/en/personal/mortgage/buying-a-house/buying-your-first-home/rent-or-buy"}},{"componentType":"productCard","cardType":"product","cardSize":"small","title":"Student loan and a mortgage","intro":"Graduated with student debt and planning to buy a house?","body":"Graduated with student debt and planning to buy a house?","image":{"transformBaseUrl":"https://assets.ing.com/transform/4b8db9f9-e223-457b-a28f-cfd9702f00ee/Hand-money-coins-pay-request-spot","type":"image","width":160,"original":"https://assets.ing.com/m/35f2b53f4412208e/original/Hand-money-coins-pay-request-spot.svg","extension":"svg"},"link":{"url":"/en/personal/mortgage/buying-a-house/buying-your-first-home/student-loan-debt"}},{"componentType":"productCard","cardType":"product","cardSize":"small","title":"Paying off your mortgage","intro":"The pros and cons of making extra repayments on your mortgage","body":"The pros and cons of making extra repayments on your mortgage","image":{"transformBaseUrl":"https://assets.ing.com/transform/663bc646-7c50-48a4-93a2-a96eb02203c5/Hands-money-under-house-200x200px","type":"image","width":200,"original":"https://assets.ing.com/m/093ca965bc0a4832/original/Hands-money-under-house-200x200px.png","extension":"png"},"link":{"url":"/en/personal/mortgage/your-mortgage/pros-and-cons-additional-repayments"}},{"componentType":"productCard","cardType":"product","cardSize":"small","title":"Sustainable investing","intro":"Discover what sustainable investing means for you","body":"Discover what sustainable investing means for you","image":{"transformBaseUrl":"https://assets.ing.com/transform/31245ef3-192a-469e-b4dd-89262849f8e1/Global-card-acceptance-Woman-in-colourful-shirt-pays-with-her-phone","type":"image","width":790,"original":"https://assets.ing.com/m/19d9349624811222/original/Global-card-acceptance-Woman-in-colourful-shirt-pays-with-her-phone.jpg","extension":"jpg"},"link":{"url":"/en/personal/investing/sustainability"}}]}]}}}