These articles help you understand your financial needs and aspirations
The UK tax year is a well-structured framework governing tax assessment and collection. It begins on 6 April and runs until 5 April the following year. As we approach the end of the 2024/25 tax year, maximising available opportunities is essential to make the most of your finances. Time is running out to review your plans and fully capitalise on tax-saving options. On page 12, this article explores some key strategies to ensure you finish the tax year in a strong position and make your money work harder for you.
Wealth transfers of financial legacies
Are you among the many families unprepared and lacking structured plans?
‘Grey divorce’
Understanding the financial impacts of divorce over 50
Empowering your retirement savings
Understanding how SIPPs work to help you maximise your retirement investments
Trust in your future
Is now the time to consider protecting and managing your wealth for future generations?
How would you cover some or all of the cost of an Inheritance Tax liability?
Especially when your primary aspiration is to pass on as much wealth as possible to loved ones
Maximising the end of the UK tax year 2024/25
Time is running out to review your plans and fully take advantage of any tax-saving options
It’s good to talk
How to approach financial conversations with older family members
Do you fall into the 60% tax trap?
Making additional pension contributions could mean lowering your effective tax rate
Understanding retirement decisions
The impact of pension lump sums and their long-term implications
Long-term Investing
The optimal time to invest is shaped by your personal goals and circumstances
Dreaming of achieving the lifestyle you want in retirement?
How to maintain your quality of life and pursue the activities and experiences you value most
Long-term later-life care costs
Understanding the options that could alleviate this burden and help you feel more in control
Markets respond unpredictably to rapidly evolving events
Understanding the impact of rising interest rates on investment trusts
Maximising your money
Navigating life’s twists and turns without jeopardising your financial stability
Avoiding financial pitfalls
Recognising common mistakes can help protect your wealth
Visualising life's destination
Helping you stay on track even in unpredictable circumstances
Managing your finances with confidence
Creating a roadmap for realising life's objectives is key
Currency conundrums
What is the impact of exchange rates, and why are they important?
Supporting your grandchildren financially
Providing a financial head start and paving the way for a more secure future
How realistic is your vision for retirement?
Deciding when to retire and being financially ready to sustain that dream are two very different things
Are your capital gains causing you a financial headache?
Without a clear strategy, you might end up paying more tax than necessary
Growing your wealth
Reinvesting dividends can significantly boost your investment returns over the long haul
Like your car, your finances require consistent care and attention to keep running smoothly. Just as a regular service ensures your vehicle performs at its best and avoids costly breakdowns, a yearly financial check-up is vital to ensuring your money works as effectively as possible. On page 12, we look at why the beginning of 2025 offers an ideal opportunity to take stock of your financial health, setting the tone for a prosperous and secure year ahead.
Maximise your tax allowances before 5 April
Make the most of your financial situation before the deadline
Autumn Budget Statement 2024
How could the range of changes impact your wealth planning?
Financial resolutions to boost your wealth this year
Taking a proactive approach to clarify your current financial standing
ISA returns of the year
Making the most of your 2024/25 tax allowances
How to navigate the Capital Gains Tax changes
Ensure your hard-earned investments work efficiently for your future
Start 2025 with a New Year's wealth check
An ideal opportunity to take stock of your financial health
Taking the road to a comfortable retirement
Achieving this vision requires careful planning and preparation
Navigating estate planning amid changing IHT rules
Ensuring your loved ones are cared for takes proper planning
Planning for the future of your wealth
How to integrate emotional, financial and practical dimensions
Making the most of a lump sum windfall
Much will depend significantly on your goals, needs and long-term aspirations
Pension funds and the path to net zero
Survey pinpoints several barriers threatening pension funds' progress
Investing isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach
Why timing the market could be holding you back
Practical financial planning for busy mums
The road to robust financial health, even when you're juggling the demands of family life
How to boost your chances of early retirement
Maintaining a strong commitment to your long-term goals
Planning for your dream retirement
Whether that’s adventure, relaxation or simply a slower pace of life
Pensioners set for income boost, but watch out for the tax trap
Could you lose out on tax-free allowances for other income?
Financial planning in your 70s
Striking the balance between living comfortably and preparing for unpredictable eventualities
Financial planning for your children’s education
Education is one of the most significant and rewarding investments you can make for your child
From crisis to resilience
Building a solid financial plan
Understanding State Pension rights and inheritance
The topic goes beyond the basics – there are numerous layers to uncover
How to plan for your special wedding day
Alleviate financial stress and ensure you start off married life financially secure
Building a resilient investment portfolio
Smoothing returns and providing greater stability
Welcome to our latest issue. The amount of Inheritance Tax (IHT) paid by families has dramatically increased over the past decade, increasing from £3.1 billion in the 2012/13 tax year[1] to £7.5 billion in the 2023/24 tax year[2]. This rise is attributed to growing asset values and stagnant IHT thresholds, coupled with many families delaying their planning. On page 08, we look at how to maximise IHT allowances, strategic planning to reduce IHT, tax-efficient gifting and transfers, utilising pensions for IHT efficiency and additional strategies for reducing IHT.
How does pension consolidation work?
Pensions can be confusing, but there is an alternative way to help keep on top of them
Maximising returns
The power of reinvesting dividends for long-term growth
Stay focused on your retirement goals
Identifying any potential financial gaps and bridging these gaps before it's too late
Understanding the rising impact of Inheritance Tax
Exploring strategies to secure your family’s financial future
A safety net for uncertain times
How would you pay your bills if you couldn't work?
Have you had a retirement conversation?
Many people do not engage in crucial conversations regarding the lifestyle they envision
Who pays for long-term care?
Ensure you’re well placed to fund any future care needs
Building a diversified investment portfolio
Why it's imperative to consider your objectives and attitude towards investment risk
Enhancing your financial plans as you approach 50
Steps you can take now to influence your retirement and overall financial security significantly
Planning your path to a fulfilling retirement
Are your finances on the right track as you approach this new chapter?
How much financial security do you need for a happy retirement?
Financial status plays a significant role in retirement happiness
Is it time to evaluate your financial landscape?
Financial strategies are not immune to the impacts of life’s changes
Unlocking homeownership
Generous parents and grandparents are turning to their property wealth
Managing the menopause, a financial perspective
Often-overlooked financial implications during this transformative life stage
Balancing motherhood and financial security
Juggling responsibilities can often push long-term financial planning to the sidelines
Building a secure financial future together
How to prevent misunderstandings and lay the groundwork for mutual financial success
Combating inflation, the ‘silent thief’
Why retirement planning needs to account for longevity risk
Retirement readiness in your 50s
Now is the time to make sure you know how much you need to save
Understanding the gender pension gap
Why do women often find themselves disadvantaged in retirement?
Landscape of workplace pensions
Six in ten employees feel they are not saving enough for retirement
Navigating life events and inheritance
Research highlights a profound impact on financial security and life choices
The role of trusts
Providing timely financial support to your loved ones when they need it most
Welcome to our latest issue. On 30 October, Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves will deliver the Autumn Budget Statement 2024. It will be a critical indicator of the government's approach to managing the economy, aiming to foster an environment conducive to sustainable growth. The outcomes of this Autumn Budget will have far-reaching implications, potentially influencing everything from tax rates and public services to business investment and consumer confidence. As such, it is a pivotal moment that will shape the economic landscape in the months and years ahead. On page 10, we look at what it could mean for your finances.
Could you have been underpaid the State Pension?
HMRC estimates that affected women could be owed an average of £5,000 each
Pension scams on the rise
Protect your savings! 7.3 million UK adults encountered an attempted scam in the past year
Navigating the complexities of inheritance
Should you consider estate planning and gifting for future generations?
Mastering financial planning
Essential tips for mothers balancing family and finances
Autumn Budget Statement 2024
What it could mean for your finances
Time to revisit your retirement plan?
Helping you feel more prepared for this stage of your life
The middle-aged squeeze
Juggling careers, family care and financial pressure amid rising costs and wealth transfers
The cost of early withdrawal from your pension
How retirees are impacting their financial future by accessing pension pots too soon
Rising demand for health cover
Grappling with a workforce sickness epidemic and long NHS waiting times
Building wealth and achieving financial goals
Aligning investments with risk tolerance and capacity
The future of retirement
Experiences of the past and potential future scenarios
The Great Unretirement
Contemplating a return to work after a significant absence or considering a phased return?
Sandwich generation
Two-thirds of people in the UK will care for a loved one at some point
Take your pension to the max
Do you have potential shortfalls and need to address these gaps?
Empowered savers
How to make future aspirations more attainable and less stressful
Shaping a sustainable future
The imperative of collective action and responsible investment
New study uncovers financial vulnerability in five million UK households
Delayed life milestones and lack of planning pose significant risks
Redundancy and your pension
Understanding your workplace pension options to navigate your next steps confidently
Have you secured your legacy?
The vital role of Wills in estate planning
Should you use your pension lump sum to pay off your mortgage?
Essential key considerations and potential pitfalls you need to know
The retirement gap
Why UK retirees are working seven years longer than planned
The rise of remote work and moving abroad
Becoming a UK expat can mark the start of an exciting chapter, but what about your pension?
Welcome to our latest issue. Nobody wants to consider what would happen if they became too ill to support their family financially. Financial protection is essential to creating a secure future for your loved ones, but understanding what cover you may need can be confusing. On page 10, we discuss whether you have considered the implications financially if you or someone in your family were unable to earn money, became ill or were to die prematurely. It’s not something we like to think about, but if you have left regular employment and are now either retired or have become self-employed, then any previous protection you received from an employer becomes your responsibility.
Articles featured in this issue:
Retirement matters
Making the right decisions today could boost your retirement pot and make the future a whole lot brighter
Caring for grandchildren
How it can help you boost your State Pension
Britain’s biggest pension taxpayers
How to make sure you avoid becoming one
Placing assets into a Trust
Ensuring your legacy is managed according to your wishes long into the future
Financial protection
Ensuring a secure future for you and your loved ones
Ways to reduce a Capital Gains Tax liability
How will you ensure more of your money will go towards your future?
Investing a lump sum
Received an inheritance, windfall, or proceeds from a business or property sale? But what next?
How much do I need to save for retirement?
Ensure your money works effectively to enjoy retirement on your own terms
The importance of drafting a Will
Protect your family from uncertainty and potential conflicts
Quarter of retirees financially struggling despite paying off mortgage
Urgent need for effective financial strategies and support systems to ensure a dignified and secure retirement
Financial planning conversations you need to have
Protecting your legacy and boosting your children’s financial security
Young women and retirement
How much income will you need for a comfortable retirement?
State Pension awareness
What payments can you expect to receive from the government later in life?
Changing retirement trends
Why the concept of a 'hard stop' retirement is becoming less prevalent
Learning from the retired
Balancing financial security with mental wellbeing
Retirement experience among over-55s
Money, or lack thereof, a significant driver of overall retirement satisfaction
Building financial confidence in children
Sharing values and encouraging children to formulate their own
Many Britons unaware of incorrect tax codes
What you need to know to avoid discrepancies and potential financial strain
Retirees supporting family and friends financially
Nearly 40% support grown-up children, a spouse or partner, a parent, an elderly relative or a friend
Downsizing in later life
Research highlights what people consider before making the decision
Minimise Inheritance Tax
Allow your loved ones to benefit more from your accumulated wealth
Only two-fifths of Britons know how to boost their pension
How much money will you have for retirement, where is it invested and what are you being charged?