2 in 5 UK retirees have retirement regrets, according to a Canada Life survey. If you’re saving towards your future, you could learn some valuable pension lessons and avoid repeating the same mistakes. Securing the retirement you want often means thinking about this milestone many years before you celebrate it. One of the key challenges is balancing your financial needs …
According to a report from the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF), in 2023, three-quarters of people in the UK supported a charity in some way. Whether you donate money, fundraise, or volunteer your time, you might want to consider how to extend your actions to create a charitable legacy in your will – and there could be tax benefits to doing …
The number of retirees who could face an Income Tax bill is expected to rise. If your total income could exceed tax thresholds, there might be some steps you can take to reduce your tax bill. The Personal Allowance is the amount of income you can receive before you usually need to pay Income Tax on the portion that exceeds …
Rising interest rates have been big news over the last couple of years, with many mortgage holders seeing their outgoings increase. It’s not just individual families that have been affected, it’s having a wider impact on the property market too. To tackle high inflation the Bank of England (BoE) started increasing its base interest rate at the end of 2021. …
If you or someone you know is saving a deposit to buy a first home, a Lifetime ISA (LISA) could be the key to reaching the milestone sooner. Yet, research suggests it’s a tool that many first-time buyers are overlooking. A survey reported by the FTAdviser found that, on average, first-time buyers with a LISA purchase a property four years …
In the 2024 Budget, the chancellor announced a cut to the higher rate of Capital Gains Tax (CGT) for residential property, which, on the surface, sounded like positive news for landlords. However, a reduced CGT allowance, known as the “Annual Exempt Amount”, could mean that many people selling a second property will face a higher tax bill than anticipated. According …
Over the last couple of years, rising interest rates have had a huge effect on the cost of borrowing. If your mortgage deal expires soon, you might be wondering if interest rates will return to “normal” and whether you’d benefit from choosing a fixed- or variable-rate mortgage deal. The Bank of England (BoE) sets the base rate, and it’s increased …
If you face a serious illness, it could place pressure on your finances and mean you’re not able to focus on what’s most important – your health. Yet, research suggests many families could be overlooking the protection that critical illness cover could provide. Read on to find out how critical illness cover works and how it could improve your financial …
The State Pension is often a useful foundation when you’re creating an income in retirement. Yet, a survey from Just Group found that a third of people didn’t check their State Pension forecast before stopping work. While the State Pension might not be your primary income in retirement, it’s often valuable because it’s reliable – you’ll receive a regular income …
Forget the car keys, National Walking Month is here! An annual reminder of the benefits of walking and spending time outdoors. It’s the perfect excuse to dust off your boots and rediscover the joy – and surprising benefits of walking. While statistics from the 2021 ONS Census show that driving reigns supreme as the most common commute option (45.1% in …
