Annuity sales hit their highest level in a decade in 2024, with higher rates tempting retirement savers to swap their pension pots for a guaranteed income for life. Insurers sold 89,600 annuities last year, up 24% on the year before – and the highest level since 2013, according to trade body the Association of British …
A power of attorney (POA) allows you to appoint someone you trust to make decisions on your behalf if you become unable to do so. It is a really important piece of financial planning, as it should provide continuity in the event that you are unable to make important decisions. We’ve summarised below the key …
As you move through your working life, it’s easy to get a rosy picture of retirement and dream of the day when you finally step away from the office. But how do you work out when that day should actually be? Well, there’s no simple answer to this question, as there are so many factors …
The end of the tax year is fast approaching, so now is the time to act to make sure you’re not paying more tax than you have to. One of the best ways to do this is to maximise your pension contributions. Contributing to your pension is one of the most tax-efficient ways to save …
It’s so easy to set up a pension, set up your contributions and then basically forget about it, safe in the knowledge that your pension pot is growing every month and year. But this approach means you might miss out on opportunities to maximise your income in later life. It’s therefore a good idea to …
When you think ahead to your retirement years, you’ll have an image in mind of you taking it easy and enjoying hobbies, holidays and precious family time, free of any financial concerns. But this doesn’t happen by itself. Securing a comfortable retirement depends on sensible and disciplined financial planning, so you have the means to …
We all want to look forward to a happy and fulfilling retirement, but that doesn’t happen by itself. It’s the result of careful planning and making the right decisions throughout your working life, so you can have the financial means to enjoy the lifestyle you want and deserve. But shifting economic sands and events entirely …
Adjusting to adulthood can be a difficult stage of life, as you strike out on your own for the first time and adapt to huge changes at home and at work. It’s therefore understandable that getting to grips with your finances can get pushed down your list of priorities, in particular, saving for your pension. …
Inheritance tax has long been a controversial levy and the debate over scrapping it completely has been rumbling on for many years. So we note with interest the swirling rumours that the government is considering cutting inheritance tax and potentially scrapping it completely. According to the Sunday Times, Rishi Sunak wants to phase out the …
A financial adviser will typically recommend that you start preparing for retirement as early as you can. But what if you’re in your 40s or 50s and have only just started thinking about pension planning? Have you missed out on the possibility of enjoying a secure and comfortable retirement? Well, not necessarily, as there are …
