In the news

In the summer, the government launched a consultation on the future of the State Pension age  Research has found that there’s a dip in financial confidence when UK adults reach their 50s  Discussing finances is taboo for many Brits, although younger generations may be pushing for change  A midlife dip in financial confidence  Research1 has found that there’s a dip […]

Unspent pensions to be included in IHT from 2027

Unspent pensions to be included in IHT from 2027

Unspent pensions will be subject to IHT from 2027, changing inheritance rules significantly  Double taxation risks arise, as pensions inherited post-75 may face both income tax and IHT  Planning tools such as gifting, trusts, and insurance can help mitigate future IHT liabilities  The government has confirmed it will move ahead with plans to include unspent […]

Women lag behind with pension savings – time to make amends

Women lag behind with pension savings – time to make amends

For every £1 in a man’s pension pot, a woman has just 42p  Career breaks, part-time work and lower wages widen the gender pensions gap  Purposeful contributions and proactive planning can help women build stronger retirement security  Nearly 40% of women in the UK risk not having enough funds for a comfortable retirement, according to […]

The retirement landscape – hybrid working changes the scene

The retirement landscape – hybrid working changes the scene

Hybrid working helps employees phase gradually into retirement while supporting wellbeing  Working part-time after 66 can smooth the retirement transition and boost pension savings  Seek advice as pensions, investments and tax payments could all be impacted  Higher productivity. Better quality of life. Greater satisfaction. These are just some of the potential benefits of hybrid working; […]

Who will inherit your pension?

Who will inherit your pension?

1 in 6 people don’t know who their pension would go to if they passed away  Cohabiting partners are especially at risk of missing out if not formally nominated  Some still have ex-partners listed – regular reviews are essential  One in six people with a partner admitted in a recent study1 that they ‘do not […]

Financial empowerment for retirement control

Senior man, happy and phone call on sofa with thinking, talking and contact in home living room. Elderly person, smartphone and smile for communication, conversation or relax on lounge couch in house

Nearly 4 in 10 people in the UK are not on track for even a basic retirement lifestyle  Understanding retirement income targets is key to building financial resilience  Personal pensions offer flexibility, tax relief and control – ideal for employed and self-employed people.  Building financial empowerment is all about the confidence that comes from knowing […]

Engaging with your pension – knowledge gaps revealed

Woman looking at pension on laptop

Most UK adults lack essential knowledge about their pensions and how they’re invested  A significant number don’t know their State Pension entitlement or how it’s calculated  Many want to consolidate pensions but don’t know how to start  New research1 has shone a light on the extent of pension knowledge gaps among UK adults. While 53% […]

Get Budget-ready this summer

Family enjoying time at the park and getting budget-ready this summer

Summer is the ideal time to review financial goals and investment strategies  Utilising tax allowances now can protect your wealth from future policy changes  Long-term investing remains key, even amid short-term market volatility  Summer should bring a welcome shift in pace: longer days, warmer evenings, time off and the chance for some well-earned rest and […]

HNWIs face gaps in retirement and succession planning

HNWIs face gaps in retirement and succession planning

Research shows a third of European HNWIs are yet to make a financial plan for retirement  80% of survey respondents plan to pass wealth to their children, but only 34% have a plan in place  Over half of respondents are focused on growing their wealth through investing in equities  and/or real estate  Many high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) […]

IHT receipts continue their ascent

Shot of a woman comforting her distraught husband at home

IHT receipts topped £6.3bn in the eight months to December, a £600m increase on the same period the previous year  OBR predicts IHT receipts will continue their ascent, forecasting total receipts of £9.7bn a year by 2028/29  Factors including a rise in asset values and frozen thresholds are contributing to rising receipts  HM Revenue and […]