Being diagnosed with cancer can mean facing physical and mental challenges, but research finds that many patients also face financial obstacles. Research from Macmillan Cancer Support found that 83% of people with cancer in the UK experience some kind of financial impact from their diagnosis. More than 1 in 3 patients said their finances were severely affected. At a time …
As you start to put winter behind you, you may be thinking of giving your home a spring clean or the projects you want to take on over the next few months. As you do, don’t forget to think about your finances. Regularly reviewing your finances and plans for the future can help keep you on track. It can provide …
Have you thought about investing but are worried you don’t know enough to start? Research suggests that if you do, you’re not alone, but getting to grips with the basics doesn’t have to be challenging. According to a Royal Mint survey, more than half of UK adults want to get into investing. It’s a step that can help them grow …
Flexi-access drawdown can provide retirees with more freedom to create an income that suits their lifestyle. However, Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) figures suggest that many retirees are taking unsustainable amounts from their pensions. It could mean they run out of money during retirement. The government introduced Pension Freedoms in 2015, which provide retirees with more ways to access their pension …
As 2021 drew to a close, the Covid-19 pandemic and its consequences continued to affect economies. The first case of the Omicron variant was reported in South Africa at the end of November 2021. It quickly spread and some counties began to reintroduce restrictions and offer booster vaccine shots. As before, the measures taken to reduce the spread of Omicron …
Mortgage lenders are providing borrowers with more options. Borrowers can now choose a fixed-rate deal that would last for the full term of their mortgage, which can provide certainty over the long term. However, it’s not the right option for every homeowner, and there are some things you need to carefully consider before you choose a deal. A fixed-rate mortgage …
2022 may only have just started, but now is an excellent time to start thinking about the end of the tax year. Planning now can help you make the most of allowances and reduce how much tax you pay. The 2021/22 tax year will end on 5 April 2022. This date is when many tax-efficient allowances will reset. In some …
Going through a divorce is difficult. So, it’s not surprising that many couples are failing to consider their long-term future and whether they need to discuss splitting pensions. Overlooking pensions, which may be among your largest assets, could leave you financially vulnerable in the long term. The law changed in 2000 to allow pensions to be shared in divorce. However, …
If you’ll be retiring this year, you may be looking forward to more free time to focus on what you enjoy. As you start making plans, you need to set out your expectations and how you’ll create an income. To do that, a bit of planning is required, and these eight steps are a great place to start. 1. Set …
If you’re creating a financial plan as a couple, you should consider the effect one of you passing away could have. If one person’s income or assets are vital for the household’s financial security, it could leave the other in financial difficulty should they pass away. One of the questions couples sometimes ask is: “Will my partner be financially secure …
