Latest News

• Time to revisit your retirement plan?

  5 days ago

  If you are in your 40s or 50s, you have likely contributed to a pension for quite some time. Over the years, you may have accumulated multiple employer workplace pensions. However, when did you last thoroughly examine your pension and retirement strategy? Having a documented retirement plan can help you feel more prepared for this stage of your life, ensuring you have a sufficient income when you stop working. Here, we explore several factors to consider when reviewing your savings. If you don’t yet have a plan, in this article, we consider a helpful starting point. [...]

• The middle-aged squeeze

  5 days ago

  Increasing longevity and evolving demographics have left many middle-aged individuals juggling careers with caring for both ageing parents and children. This issue is particularly acute for ambitious professionals who prioritised establishing their careers before starting a family in their thirties or forties. [...]

• Rising demand for health cover

  5 days ago

  With 2.81 million people in the UK now away from work due to long-term sickness, ensuring employers offer comprehensive health benefits is becoming increasingly critical. This approach is essential for preventing employees from becoming too ill to work, as well as for attracting and retaining staff in a competitive job market. By providing the right health coverage, companies can support their workforce’s wellbeing, leading to higher productivity and job satisfaction. [...]

• Navigating the complexities of inheritance

  1 week ago

  As we age or accumulate more wealth, protecting and preserving our assets for future generations becomes increasingly essential. This process, known as Inheritance Tax (IHT) planning, estate planning or intergenerational wealth planning, involves strategically managing your estate to minimise tax liabilities and ensure that your wealth is passed down to your loved ones in the most tax-efficient manner possible. [...]

• Mastering financial planning

  1 week ago

  Balancing the many responsibilities of motherhood can be overwhelming, often pushing long-term financial planning onto the back burner. However, effective financial planning is essential for everyone, and as a mother, you face unique challenges that require extra attention. Here are some key financial planning steps to help you take control and secure your family’s future. [...]

• Autumn Budget Statement 2024

  1 week ago

  On 30 October, Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves will deliver the Autumn Budget Statement 2024, accompanied by a comprehensive fiscal statement from the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR). This significant event comes as the new government, elected to boost economic stability and growth, takes its first important step in addressing the nation’s financial health. [...]

• Wealth accumulation

  2 weeks ago

  Diversifying your portfolio places you in an advantageous position to seize opportunities across various investments as they emerge. This strategy usually results in a smoother investment journey. But how? The answer lies in the balancing act that diversification encourages. Investments that appreciate in value can offset those that are underperforming. [...]

• Harnessing the power of Green Pensions

  2 weeks ago

  Over recent years, our comprehension of the climate crisis has significantly transformed. Countries and organisations are becoming increasingly ambitious with their net zero targets, while many individuals are making lifestyle alterations to reduce their household carbon emissions. However, some remain oblivious that pensions represent one of our most potent tools for making substantial strides towards net zero. [...]

• Planning for an early retirement

  2 weeks ago

  Early retirement typically signifies reaching financial autonomy before the statutory pension age, usually in the mid-60s. In the United Kingdom, retirees can begin drawing their State Pension at age 66. However, this retirement benchmark is set to increase to age 67 by 6 April 2028. [...]

• The future of retirement

  3 weeks ago

  The latest research reveals a significant disparity in perceptions regarding retirement experiences of the past and potential future scenarios. Over the past 50 years, a ‘hard stop’ or ‘transitional’ retirement has been the predominant way people have transitioned into retirement. A ‘hard stop’ refers to an abrupt end to working life, while a ‘transitional’ retirement involves gradually reducing working hours. [...]

• The cost of early withdrawal from your pension

  3 weeks ago

  More than three-quarters (78%) of retirees have already dipped into their pension pots by the time they retire, according to recent data[1]. Of these, more than half (52%) withdraw funds five years before their Selected Retirement Age (SRA), with 21% opting to start taking out funds nine to ten years before they retire. [...]

• Pension scams on the rise

  3 weeks ago

  Around 7.3 million UK adults, or one in seven, encountered an attempted pension scam in the past year. Alarmingly, 14% were targeted through unsolicited calls, texts or emails, according to recent research, illustrating the aggressive tactics employed by scammers. This concerning trend has prompted a closer examination of the vulnerabilities within the pension system, especially as scammers become increasingly sophisticated in their approaches. [...]