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These articles help you understand your financial needs and aspirations
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- Tax Planning
Understanding the Rising Impact of Inheritance Tax
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 to £7.5 billion in the 2023/24 tax year. This rise is attributed to growing asset values and stagnant IHT thresholds, coupled with many families delaying their planning. On page 8, 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.
Articles featured in this issue:
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
How Chancellor Rachel Reeves could Increase Taxes
Welcome to our latest issue. The National Institute of Economic and Social Research (NIESR) has issued a stark warning. If no action is taken, the government is likely to miss its fiscal rule, which requires that day-to-day spending is covered by tax receipts of a significant £41.2 billion by 2029/30. To stay on track, Chancellor Rachel Reeves will need to implement further tax increases. This raises important questions about the policies being considered and who might face the greatest financial impact. From workers’ wages to pension contributions, many groups could be most affected by these changes. Turn to page 09 to read the full article.
Government considers Inheritance Tax reforms
Tightening gift-giving regulations is among the measures being considered
Evolution of bonds
Increasing awareness of intergenerational wealth transfer
Unlocking financial freedom
Save, invest and grow your wealth for a secure future
Is it time to invest in your grandchildren's future?
Protect their future with strategic planning to leave a lasting legacy
How Chancellor Rachel Reeves could increase taxes
Discover what the Autumn Budget could mean for workers and pensioners
Why protection matters
Do you have a safety net for you and your loved ones in case the unforeseen happens?
Passing on wealth through trusts
Is it the right moment to begin safeguarding your wealth for the future?
Do you have multiple pension pots to keep track of?
When leaving a job, how to stay updated on your retirement savings
How remaining invested supports long-term growth
Unlocking the potential of your investments and securing your financial future
Show me the money
£102.3 billion withdrawn flexibly from pension pots since 2015
Is the lifetime gifting cap raising concerns?
Proposed policy would fundamentally change how wealth is transferred across generations
Pension myths exposed
Distinguishing fact from fiction to fully utilise opportunities and secure your future
Love and money
Are you in a ‘financial situationship’?
Planning for early retirement
Is it time to move forward towards your financial freedom?
Breaking free from geopolitical noise
Why long-term portfolio success depends on strategy, not global headlines
Protect your retirement plans by investing more today
Why larger pension contributions can have a significant impact
Mind the divorce gap
Research highlights the financial challenges faced by women
Safeguarding against scams
Common frauds and how to protect yourself
How to increase your State Pension
Taking action now can significantly enhance your future financial security
Should annuities be included in retirement plans?
Protect against the risk of outliving your savings with a steady income
Why should you invest in an ISA this year?
Acting sooner significantly improves your chances of achieving financial goals
Rising financial pressures
A stagnation in personal financial safety nets
Cash Flow Modelling: Planning your financial future
Master your finances and bring clarity and control to make informed decisions
Build a brighter, more secure future
Financial independence remains out of reach for 6 million people in the UK
Are you a pension planner or a procrastinator?
Why preparing for retirement has never been more crucial
Who will inherit your pension? Find out now!
Welcome to our latest issue. Inside, we explore a new study that reveals a startling insight. As many as one in six (15%) individuals with a partner are unclear about who will receive their pension savings if they pass away before accessing them[1]. Even more concerning, this figure rises to nearly one in five (18%) among the Silent Generation (aged 79 and older). Such statistics highlight the urgent need for improved awareness and planning regarding pension inheritance. This lack of clarity can lead to legal complications and emotional distress for loved ones when the time comes to distribute these assets.
How gut instinct is guiding financial futures
A new report reveals that millions rely on guesswork when planning for retirement
Why you should look to maximise your savings potential
Making the most of your new tax allowances for the 2025/26 year
Navigate market uncertainty and build long-term wealth
A strategy tailored to your needs is essential for weathering market uncertainty
Who will inherit your pension? Find out now!
Understanding the importance of nominating a beneficiary
Thinking of retiring overseas?
Understanding the impact of a frozen State Pension on your retirement income
Getting your financial plan in order
Setting the course for a secure future
Two-thirds of UK adults are concerned about affording care in later life
Rising costs, independence and the necessity for proactive financial planning
Plan ahead to safeguard more of your wealth
Secure your wealth for retirement and future generations
Are annuities included in your retirement income plans?
Ensuring financial stability in your golden years
Preparing for retirement: What you need to know
How to navigate your transition to life after work
Helping your elderly parents face their financial needs
Remaining focused on established investment principles is essential
Planning a wealthy retirement
Secure your future with smart financial choices
Principles of successful investing
Building wealth in an uncertain world
What is the right mix of investments for you?
Finding the right balance for your financial goals is key
Setting investment goals and timescales
How to clarify your path to financial success
Saving vs investing
Understanding your financial options now and for the future
How much do you need to retire comfortably in 2025?
Start planning now to secure your financial future
Why six in ten Millennials are struggling to save for retirement
The financial balancing act Millennials face
Reassessing strategies to minimise Inheritance Tax liabilities
What crucial transformation is poised to reshape estate planning?
Financial security remains a concern for retirees in the UK
Only 48% of mid-retirees are confident their private pension will last a lifetime
Financial vulnerability post-divorce
The financial divide women face after separation
Growing trend among silver splitters
How property wealth enables a clean break for the over-50s
Beyond the excitement of wedding bells
Why financial and legal matters matter before ‘I do’
Unlocking greater financial efficiency
An offshore bond provides a tax-efficient wrapper issued outside UK jurisdiction
Guide to the Spring Statement 2025
The Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, delivered her Spring Statement 2025 on Wednesday 26 March. Keeping to her promise of one fiscal event per year, she made no new tax announcements. Instead, she focused on measures to boost housebuilding and defence spending while making substantial welfare cuts.
The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) has lowered the UK's 2025 growth forecast from 2% to 1%, but it expects improved growth in the years leading up to 2029. Reeves acknowledged the challenges, stating that achieving economic growth will require time, tough decisions and persistent effort. However, she mentioned that people would be 'on average over £500 a year better off' under a Labour government – a figure she claimed the OBR has confirmed.
Labour's welfare cuts are expected to save £4.8 billion, with reductions deeper than initially anticipated. Day-to-day spending remains safeguarded, except for the aid budget. Defence spending is set to increase by £2.2 billion next year, aiming for 2.5% of GDP in the future. Due to Labour's planning reforms, housebuilding is projected to reach its highest level in 40 years.
Autumn Budget Statement 2024 - What it Could Mean For Your Finances
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?
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