A couple jogging in a park.

Climbing annuity rates could boost your retirement income

Purchasing an annuity could provide you with a regular income throughout retirement. And rising annuity rates could help your pension savings go further. An annuity is something you buy, often with the money saved in your pension, which then provides a guaranteed income. The annuity rate offered affects the income you’d receive and it can vary between providers. If you’re …

A couple on a yacht cruise.

Could a financial plan give you the confidence to retire sooner

What’s stopping you from retiring sooner? For many, it’s not just finances that are holding them back but their mindset too. If the excitement of retiring is also mixed with nerves, a financial plan could give you the confidence boost you need to take a step back from work. Finances may play a role in the hesitancy to retire for …

Grandparents blowing bubbles with their grandchildren.

Inheritance Tax: How does the UK compare internationally?

More than 70% of Brits think Inheritance Tax (IHT) is unfair, according to a poll carried out by Tax Policy Associates in 2023. You might consider how other countries handle taxing assets when you pass away to be “fairer”, read on to find out more. Over the last few months, you’ve read about how IHT works in the UK and …

A person looking at a stock market graph on a tablet.

Investment market update: August 2024

August was a rollercoaster month for investors, with the global stock market experiencing significant volatility. Read on to find out what may have affected your investments. Many market indices saw sharp falls early in August sparked by fears that the US is on track for a recession. However, investors are likely to have experienced some recovery in the weeks that …

A young woman talking on the phone.

5 sensible steps to take if your fixed-rate mortgage deal ends in 2024

While the Bank of England (BoE) has started to cut its base interest rate, many homeowners with fixed-rate mortgages that end this year will still see their outgoings rise. If your mortgage deal comes to an end, read on to discover five sensible steps you might want to take. According to a report in the Times, around 153,000 mortgage deals …

A couple sitting outside in a café with a dog.

The pension basics you need to know if you’re dreaming of retiring abroad

Retiring abroad is a dream for many people nearing the milestone. Whether you’re picturing a sunnier climate or want to move closer to family, there are some implications you might need to consider when managing your pension. According to a report in Moneyweek, more than three-quarters of pension savers would like the opportunity to leave the UK behind when they …

A boy using a magnifying glass in the woods.

How to join the pension treasure hunt and discover “lost” savings

You could uncover “lost” pension savings and boost your retirement by tracking down old pots you might have forgotten about. Read on to find out why you might have lost pensions and how to rediscover them. 27 October 2024 marks National Pension Tracing Day and the campaign urges you to join the pension treasure hunt. It’s estimated there are 2.8 …

A grandfather playing with his granddaughter.

Inheritance Tax: 5 shrewd strategies for reducing a potential bill

If you take a proactive approach to managing your wealth, you could reduce how much Inheritance Tax (IHT) your estate may be liable for when you pass away. Last month, you read about what IHT is and when estates become liable to pay it. Now, read on to discover some of the shrewd strategies you could use to reduce a …

A person putting a ballot paper into a box.

Investment market update: July 2024

In July, the markets were affected by general elections taking place in the UK and France, and the ongoing presidential campaign in the US. Read on to find out what else affected investment markets in July 2024. Uncertainty and numerous other factors may affect the value of your investment portfolio. However, for most investors, long-term trends are a better indicator …