Are you and your partner ready for retirement?
Why couples should talk about pensions and retirement plans Many couples plan their holidays, household budgets and major purchases together, yet pensions and retirement can be overlooked. Research suggests that fewer than one in five non-retired people have discussed their pensions or retirement plans with their partner, potentially leaving one person unaware of important financial […]
What I wish I’d known before I retired
Nearly a third of retirees say their standard of living is worse than before retirement Retirement is often imagined as a chance to relax, travel and spend more time with family and on hobbies. However, new research suggests the reality can be more financially demanding than expected. Nearly a third (31%) of retirees say their […]
Why investment diversification matters in an uncertain world
Geopolitical tensions, trade disputes and energy shocks can quickly affect markets Diversification enables investors to avoid putting too much of their financial future at risk. Investing always involves uncertainty, but the geopolitical backdrop has become increasingly difficult to predict. Conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, tensions between major economies and changing trade policies can […]
Autumn Budget 2026 tax watch
With the main taxes ruled out, attention is shifting to other revenue generators As Chancellor John Healey delivers his first Autumn Budget on 28 October 2026, the government faces a difficult balancing act. Prime Minister Andy Burnham has committed to Labour’s manifesto pledge not to raise the main rates of Income Tax, National Insurance or […]
Safeguarding your retirement wealth
From cold calls to fake investments, recognise the warning signs of pension scams Imagine losing your entire pension pot in the blink of an eye. Years of hard-earned savings could vanish after a seemingly convincing investment opportunity turns out to be a scam. Pension fraudsters can be persuasive, using professional-looking websites, testimonials and promises of […]
Protecting your loved ones with a Will
Providing greater control over your assets and protection for those who matter A Will can help you put your financial affairs in order, plan your inheritance and ensure your wishes are known. Despite this, many people delay making one, often assuming it can be dealt with later. Without a Will, the law determines how your […]
Five questions to ask yourself before retirement
Are you doing enough today to give yourself the freedom and choices you want tomorrow? Retirement should be something to look forward to, not a source of financial anxiety. For many people, retirement can seem comfortably distant until, suddenly, it is not. Years of working, saving and paying into pensions can create the sense that […]
Inheritance Tax gift rule many families may be overlooking
72% of UK adults unaware gifts from surplus income are IHT-exempt For many families, gifting money to children or grandchildren is simply a way to help with everyday costs or to give them a financial head start. However, new research suggests that almost three quarters (72%) of UK adults do not realise that regular gifts […]
What will retirement look like for you?
Practical ideas for creating a purposeful and enjoyable next chapter Retirement is one of life’s major milestones, bringing greater freedom but also a significant change in routine. After decades of working, it can take time to adjust to having fewer commitments and more choice over how you spend each day.
The 15 million workers heading for a retirement disaster
Future pensioners risk being poorer than today’s retirees unless action is taken Retirement may feel like a distant concern for many working people, but a stark new warning suggests millions of Britons could be heading towards a financial cliff edge in later life.