Good mental health is influenced by many factors, and financial wellbeing is an important part of that picture. While financial advice is not a substitute for mental health support, feeling informed and empowered about your finances can help reduce one source of stress and support overall wellbeing. This Mental Health Awareness Week, we encourage open …
The Pension Schemes Bill received Royal Assent on 29 April and became the Pension Schemes Act, marking the most significant overhaul of pensions in a decade. How will this affect you and your family? The Act will bring about significant reforms to the UK pensions system, benefitting workers by up to £29,000 by the time …
The new tax year is here, and upcoming pension changes mean that it’s now a good time to review your retirement plans. 1. Age to access your pension is rising From April 2028, the earliest age most people can start taking money from their private pension will rise from 55 to 57. If you were …
Inheritance Tax (IHT) continues to make headlines, and for good reason. According to the latest forecasts, the amount collected by the government is expected to reach a record £8.7 billion in the 2025–26 tax year. As property values and investment portfolios grow, more families are finding themselves within the scope of IHT. Increasingly, this is …
Money is one of the most common sources of stress in relationships and one of the least talked about. In fact, many couples find it easier to discuss almost anything except their finances. Yet open, honest conversations about money don’t weaken relationships. Done well, they can strengthen trust, reduce anxiety, and create a shared sense …
Recent IHT changes affect not only farms but also many family-owned trading businesses. Reviewing your estate now can help protect your assets and ensure relief is claimed where available. New thresholds for relief The Government has reversed plans to impose inheritance tax (IHT) on farms worth more than £1 million. When the new rules come …
Beyond investing – why cashflow planning matters What will you be doing in ten years’ time? Most of us can give a rough answer – perhaps enjoying more free time, travelling, or finally working less – but few of us can say with certainty how our finances will support that vision. In a fast-moving and …
For many people approaching retirement, the pension tax-free lump sum is one of the most attractive features of their pension savings. It allows you to take up to a quarter of your pension pot as a one-off payment without paying income tax, up to a current maximum of £268,275. While this can seem straightforward, the …
The pound slipped in value against both the US dollar and the euro last month, with markets reacting to concerns over economic growth and interest rate expectations. Unfortunately, these shifts are not just abstract market movements, when the pound falls it has a tangible impact on individual finances. A weaker currency affects everything from the …
The State Pension is due to increase by 4.7% next April after the latest Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures were published on 16th September. The ONS data confirmed the latest annual wage growth of 4.7% would be the deciding figure under the State Pension Triple Lock. This uplift, while lower than some recent past …
