Compared to other countries in Europe and the US, Brits are among the least likely to take out life insurance, and it could leave their families in a vulnerable position if the worst happened. Life insurance would pay out a lump sum to your beneficiaries if you passed away during the term. Your loved ones could use the money however …

Geopolitical tensions and threats of trade tariffs continued to impact global investment markets at the start of 2026. Read on to find out what factors may have affected your investments at the start of 2026. Markets experienced highs, but geopolitical tensions continue to cause volatility On 2 January, the first day of trading in 2026, the FTSE 100 – an …

As 2026 begins, it’s a good time to think about what you want to achieve in the coming months. A tailored financial plan can help you set realistic goals. Creating goals on your own can be challenging, especially if they bring together several different parts of your financial plan or have a long-term time frame. If you’re overly ambitious, it …

You might already know that salary sacrifice can be a practical way for your employees to bolster their retirement funds, while reducing their tax liability. However, in the 2025 Autumn Budget, the government announced changes to how salary sacrifice is treated for National Insurance (NI) purposes. From April 2029, a new cap will be introduced, limiting the portion of pension …

In the Autumn Budget 2025, the chancellor announced that Inheritance Tax (IHT) thresholds would remain frozen for a further year, until 2031. Upcoming changes will also see unused pensions included in an estate for IHT purposes for the first time from April 2027. These measures could see estates facing a larger IHT liability, or coming into the scope of IHT …

A third of people don’t know how much they need to contribute to their pensions every year to create a comfortable retirement, according to a MoneyAge article (11 November 2025). Striking the right balance with pension contributions is important. Contribute too little, and you could leave yourself short in retirement. If you contribute as much as possible to your pension …

From introducing a “mansion tax” to creating a separate tax for property income, the November 2025 Budget included several announcements that could affect landlords. Here’s what you need to know about four key changes. 1. Property income will be taxed at a higher rate from April 2026 The major change announced in the Budget that will affect landlords is that, …

After a year filled with uncertainty and rising trade tensions, markets were calmer in December 2025. Find out what may have affected the performance of your portfolio at the end of the year. Market volatility eased in December 2025 Markets were downbeat at the start of the month. Most European markets were in the red on 1 December, including Germany’s …

One of the biggest factors affecting investment markets in November 2025 was concern about an AI bubble. Despite this, there were still market highs recorded during the month. Remember to consider your risk profile when you invest and review your portfolio’s performance with a long-term outlook. AI concerns led to volatility throughout November 2025 With UK chancellor Rachel Reeves set …

Your home is often among your most important assets – it provides security for you and your family. Assessing how you’d keep up with mortgage repayments if your income suddenly stopped could improve your financial resilience. According to a survey from HomeOwners Alliance (8 September 2025), 46% of mortgage holders would struggle to keep up with repayments for six months …