Taking control of your pension income means considering the tax consequencesPension drawdown enables you to take money from a defined contribution pension while keeping the rest invested. Rather than receiving a fixed income, you decide how much to withdraw and when,...

Gifting your home could help your grandchildren, but may carry tax and financial risksFor grandparents with substantial property wealth, gifting their home may seem an attractive way to give younger family members a helping hand. It could provide grandchildren with a...

Building financial security for later lifeRetirement no longer has to mean simply buying an annuity and receiving a fixed income for life. Since pension freedoms were introduced, people have had greater control over how and when they access their pension savings....

Achieving an early, comfortable retirement requires careful planningFor many people, retiring at 50 sounds like the ultimate financial goal. Instead of waiting until their 60s, they could have decades to travel, pursue hobbies or simply enjoy a slower pace of life....

Half of people are unaware that pension contributions can reduce adjusted net incomePensions are designed to help fund retirement, but they can also play a valuable role in wider financial planning. This could be particularly important for parents balancing the high...

A long-awaited way to view your pension savings in one place is finally taking shapeFor years, savers have been promised a simpler way to track their pension savings. The concept is straightforward: instead of searching through old paperwork, logging in to multiple...

A little-known National Insurance credit could reward you and give you a financial boostProviding regular childcare for grandchildren could do more than help your family. It could also help protect your State Pension entitlement through National Insurance credits....

More than one in five adults report a decline in pension confidenceThe upcoming changes to how pensions are treated for Inheritance Tax (IHT) from 6 April 2027 appear to be having a wider impact on pension confidence, despite most adults being unaffected. New research...

From childcare and essentials to education and everyday expensesRaising a child is a major financial commitment, with costs beginning long before school age. The latest figures from the Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) estimate the cost of raising a child from birth...

54% of over-55s have no record of gifts given in the previous seven yearsGiving money or valuable possessions to loved ones can be a generous way to provide support, but failing to keep track of those gifts could leave families facing an Inheritance Tax (IHT) headache...

How the gifting rules are leaving some families in the darkInheritance Tax (IHT) can feel like a financial maze, and new research suggests many families struggle to understand the rules. Almost three in five (59%) UK adults admit they find IHT confusing, while only 6%...

How to prepare your finances and make the most of the decade before retirementWith retirement costs rising and people potentially spending several decades in later life, the decade before retirement is an important time to review your financial plans. Having around...

It is increasingly important to consider pensions alongside other assets when planningFor families with substantial pension savings, the rules are changing. From 6 April 2027, most unused pension funds and pension death benefits will form part of an estate’s value for...

Why couples should talk about pensions and retirement plansMany 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...

Nearly a third of retirees say their standard of living is worse than before retirementRetirement 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...

Geopolitical tensions, trade disputes and energy shocks can quickly affect marketsDiversification enables investors to avoid putting too much of their financial future at risk. Investing always involves uncertainty, but the geopolitical backdrop has become...

With the main taxes ruled out, attention is shifting to other revenue generatorsAs 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...

From cold calls to fake investments, recognise the warning signs of pension scamsImagine 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....

Providing greater control over your assets and protection for those who matterA 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...

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...

72% of UK adults unaware gifts from surplus income are IHT-exemptFor 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...