Retirement Planning Across Life Stages
James Wallace, Independent Financial Adviser discusses the importance of planning for retirement throughout your life and how it’s never too early to start. When it comes to planning for retirement, the earlier you start, the better. But the reality is that many of us, especially those in our 20s and early 30s, don’t always prioritise […]
Boosting Your Chances of Early Retirement: Your Comprehensive Guide
Michael Aremu, Independent Financial Adviser explores the steps to help you make your early retirement plan a reality. Dreaming of retiring early? Achieving early retirement requires strategic planning, disciplined saving, and smart decision-making. By focusing on financial independence and proactive management of healthcare expenses, pensions, and workplace benefits, you can significantly boost your chances of […]
A Guide to Gifting Money at Christmas
Christmas is the season of giving, and for many, it’s an opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of loved ones. Beyond the charm of wrapped presents, monetary gifts can offer long-term benefits, helping younger generations save for education, buy a home, or invest in their future. However, ensuring that your generosity aligns […]
Inheritance Tax: Pensions Included In IHT Calculations From 2027
Departure from previous rules where pensions were excluded from calculations In a significant shift announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves, inherited pensions will become subject to Inheritance Tax (IHT) from April 2027. This marks a departure from previous rules where pensions were excluded from IHT calculations. Currently, pensions are usually passed on tax-free if you die […]
Why, when and how to revisit your retirement plan
Chartered Financial Planner, Hannah Rogers explains how and why to revisit your retirement plan. If you are in your 40s or 50s, it’s likely that you will have been contributing towards your pensions for decades now. You may have accumulated multiple workplace pensions at this point. And you could have investment strategies in place with […]
Accessing your pension pots early: Are you impacting your financial future?
Retirement behaviours are shifting. 78% of retirees have dipped into their pension pots before they actually retire [1]. Whether it’s for unexpected expenses, the desire to be debt-free or the need for additional income. The reality is that immediate financial needs can often overshadow the long-term benefits of leaving pension pots untouched. But the implications […]
Closing the Pension Gap: Young Women and Retirement
Independent Financial Adviser, Fiona Ruck, discusses the impact of the gender pension gap on retirement planning. While the gender pay gap has gained significant attention, the gender pension gap remains a critical yet often overlooked issue. This gap signifies that women retire with significantly less pension savings than men, that can result in financial difficulties […]
Enhancing retirement through lump sum contributions
Contributing additional amounts to your pension stands to benefit you significantly in the long term. Chartered Financial Planner, Andy Kirk, discusses. Recent research findings have brought to light a striking observation: fewer than 10% of adults in the UK contribute occasional lump sums to their pensions[1]. This statistic is particularly surprising given that such contributions […]
Generational wealth perspectives
Whether through property, pensions or a blend of both, informed decision-making is crucial. Chartered Financial Planner, Alastair McQuiston discusses. A recent study suggests that a substantial proportion of Generation Z, born from 1996 to 2010, view property acquisition as their principal avenue to amass wealth for their retirement years [1]. This perspective is slightly more […]
Planning for an early retirement
Independent Financial Adviser, John Mclaren, explores how to live life to the fullest while accomplishing long-held dreams Early retirement typically signifies reaching financial autonomy before the statutory pension age, however the concept of early retirement will differ by each individual and their life objectives. In the United Kingdom, retirees can begin drawing their State Pension […]