From April 2028, pension access rises to 57, impacting those born after April 1973 Early pension access will be limited to those with ill health or protected pension ages Many are worried about the upcoming change, so seek advice and review your plans A two-year increase in the normal minimum pension age could impact retirement planning for […]
Author archives: matthew
Owning a home offers significant savings opportunities
Owning a home can create significant long-term savings when compared with renting Renters in London and Bristol are missing out the most on savings opportunities Despite challenges, many younger renters are optimistic about owning their first home Research1 has compared the average cost of buying versus renting, highlighting the investment opportunities that homeowning can offer. By […]
When gifts backfire
Gifting can reduce IHT, but poor record-keeping could cause the exemption to be rejected Gifts with reservation (e.g. continuing to benefit from gifted assets) often trigger unexpected IHT bills With frozen thresholds and pensions joining IHT, careful planning is more important than ever With pensions set to join the list of assets liable for IHT, for many families, […]
Life insurance – time to redress the gender gap
Women are less likely than men to hold life insurance or understand its benefits Many women have not been educated about life insurance and believe they can’t afford it Life insurance provides financial support to loved ones if the policyholder dies during its term Women are falling through the cracks when it comes to life insurance. According to a […]
Clients are tuning in to intergenerational planning
More families now prioritise intergenerational planning, driven by record IHT receipts and policy changes Only half of advised clients have IHT solutions in place, showing a clear advice-action gap Women are set to control 60% of UK private wealth by 2025 but remain under-advised The Great Wealth Transfer is happening, with the UK expected to […]
Economic Review – November 2025
ONS data reveals the UK economy barely expanded across Q3, with the economy contracting by 0.1% in September alone The Monetary Policy Committee voted to leave Bank Rate on hold by a 5–4 majority in November The headline index from last month’s GfK consumer confidence survey fell two percentage points OBR downgrades UK growth forecasts New projections from the […]
In the news
Buyers are willing to pay a premium for a home with a sea view One million UK homes have risen in value by at least 50% since 2020 6.5 million homeowners in the UK have some regrets about the property they bought Buyers pay more for a sea view Buyers are willing to pay a premium for […]
Buying later and borrowing longer
More first-time buyers are purchasing homes later in life to manage affordability challenges Longer mortgage terms help keep monthly payments manageable but extend debt into later years Professional guidance can help buyers select the most suitable mortgage for their circumstances Getting onto the property ladder has become harder in recent years and that’s had a noticeable impact. People are […]
Autumn Budget 2025
Growth forecasts rise to 1.5% this year, with steady medium-term expectations supporting economic stability and resilience Income tax, NICs and IHT thresholds remain frozen to 2031, increasing the long-term tax burden on households Cash ISA limits fall to £12,000 for under 65s but overall allowance remain the same “We are rebuilding our economy” Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves delivered […]
In the news
In the summer, the government launched a consultation on the future of the State Pension age Research has found that there’s a dip in financial confidence when UK adults reach their 50s Discussing finances is taboo for many Brits, although younger generations may be pushing for change A midlife dip in financial confidence Research1 has found that there’s a dip […]