Left the RAF, retired early and fund my life through clever investing' - AOL

Richard Parry, 77, left the Royal Air Force in 1987 after nearly 20 years flying a Hercules, including Falklands War resupply missions and special forces deployments. He went to Hong Kong, later returning to the UK in 2000, and started living off his investments at 51—without working “for the taxman” since. His combined pension, investments and related tax relief generate thousands of pounds monthly, covering an average UK tax bill of £20,000 to £30,000, while also funding his air ballooning hobby. Parry invests in venture capital trusts (VCTs), which offer tax-free growth if held for three years and upfront 20% income tax relief, reduced from 30% in 2025.