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, […]
Author archives: matthew
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 […]
Unspent pensions to be included in IHT from 2027
Unspent pensions will be subject to IHT from 2027, changing inheritance rules significantly Double taxation risks arise, as pensions inherited post-75 may face both income tax and IHT Planning tools such as gifting, trusts, and insurance can help mitigate future IHT liabilities The government has confirmed it will move ahead with plans to include unspent […]
Women lag behind with pension savings – time to make amends
For every £1 in a man’s pension pot, a woman has just 42p Career breaks, part-time work and lower wages widen the gender pensions gap Purposeful contributions and proactive planning can help women build stronger retirement security Nearly 40% of women in the UK risk not having enough funds for a comfortable retirement, according to […]