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Whether you are reviewing your pension or looking to invest for the first time, the amount of risk you are willing to take is one of the main decisions you need to make. As most people know, investing wisely is all about weighing up the risk against potential reward. Although you are never guaranteed to make money on your investment, as its value can fall as well as rise, getting your risk profile right can help you reach your financial goals.

Here is a Windsor IFA’s guide to the questions you will need to ask yourself to help you get your investment risk profile right the first time.

1. How long do you want to invest for?

If you are willing to invest over a longer period, you may be able to ride out investment fluctuations more effectively. When you make higher risk investments, you may find that your investment fluctuates more than a less risky option. Therefore, a short-term investment may hold more risk than a longer-term investment. This is because, over the long-term, stock market investments tend to rise above inflation – although there is no guarantee of this, of course.

2. What are your financial goals?

This is a key factor to be considered. If, for example, you simply want to invest your cash in products that will help your gains stay above the inflation rate, but anything over that is a bonus, then a relatively low-risk investment profile may be adequate. If your investment goal is to maximise gains over a particular term, you may want to invest in riskier products.

Your investment goals are likely to be affected by factors like your age, your financial status, your employment security, your family situation and your available assets.

3. What other assets do you have?

It is vital that you take the time to understand your actual financial position when considering your risk profile. Examining your assets and their value and future potential growth can help you to understand your financial goals. Speaking to an IFA can help you to take an objective view of assets such as existing pension pots, property and savings.

When weighing up how much risk you are willing to factor into your investment portfolio, this is a fundamental question to ask yourself. If you are investing just a small portion of your wealth, then a higher risk approach may be more palatable, whereas investing your life savings might need a more balanced approach.

Answering these four questions is just part of the process of deciding how much risk you are willing to expose your investment to. Personal finances can be an emotive topic, and, whatever your personal wealth, speaking to an IFA about your investments will help you to step back and make sensible decisions, which can increase your chances of achieving your goals.

Giles Warren, Independent Financial Advisor (IFA)

The value of your investment can go down as well as up, and you may get back less than the amount invested.