In April 2028, the age you can usually access your pension, known as the “normal minimum pension age” (NMPA), will rise from 55 to 57. So, if you hope to retire at 55, you might need to update your retirement plan. Even if your planned retirement date seems far away, creating a plan now could help you bridge a potential …
How to prepare your loved ones for the “great wealth transfer”
Passing on your wealth to loved ones could transform their lives and mean they have more opportunities in the future. However, to get the most out of the “great wealth transfer”, younger generations need to be prepared to manage their inheritance. According to September 2024 data from Vanguard, it’s estimated $18.3 trillion (£13.45 trillion) in wealth will be transferred globally …
Investment market update: May 2025
Uncertainty continued to lead to market volatility in May 2025. However, there was some good news for investors as some markets recovered the losses they experienced in April 2025. Read on to find out more and what factors may have influenced your portfolio’s performance recently. While market movements may be worrisome, remember, it’s a normal part of investing. Keep your …
The pros and cons of choosing a 100% mortgage
There are now several 100% mortgages available to choose if you don’t have a deposit. First-time buyers are sure to welcome the news, but before you opt for a mortgage with zero deposit, there are pros and cons to weigh up. A 100% mortgage means you’re able to borrow the full value of the property you want to buy through …
How to use the “gifting from income” rule to reduce your estate’s Inheritance Tax bill
According to a Citywire report, forecasts from the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) suggest the amount of Inheritance Tax (IHT) paid to HMRC will have increased by 11.6% in 2024/25 compared to 2023/24. This will mean that the total amount of IHT paid in the 2024/25 financial year will have reached a record high of £8.4 billion. The report suggests …
Should you choose a Cash or Stocks and Shares Junior ISA for your child?
A Junior ISA (JISA) is often an effective way for parents to start putting money aside for their children to help them reach their goals when they reach adulthood. One important question parents need to consider is: Should the money be held in a Cash JISA or invested through a Stocks and Shares JISA? Read on to find out what …
The simple step that could boost your annuity income in retirement
You’ve likely spent years preparing for retirement and envisioning the lifestyle you’d like to enjoy once work is officially behind you. You might have even accumulated a significant pension pot through careful planning to help support this dream lifestyle. As you explore some of the different ways to draw an income from your retirement fund, one option you might have …
How to improve your financial resilience
This guest blog was written by Chris Budd, who wrote the original Financial Wellbeing Book, and also the Four Cornerstones of Financial Wellbeing. He founded the Institute for Financial Wellbeing and has written more than 100 episodes of the Financial Wellbeing Podcast. Financial wellbeing is a broad term that encompasses all aspects of the relationship between money and happiness. Some …
Liam Payne died without leaving a will – who will inherit his estate now?
One Direction singer, Liam Payne, passed away in October last year, after falling from a third-floor hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina. It has been reported that the singer has left behind a £24.3m fortune after dying without a Will. Payne never married but he and former Girls Aloud singer Cheryl Tweedy had a son, Bear, who is now aged eight. …
Investment market update: April 2025
Once again, US president Donald Trump’s trade tariffs have affected investment markets throughout April 2025 and could have far-reaching implications over the coming months. Indeed, UN Trade and Development now predicts that global growth will slow to 2.3% in 2025, compared to 2.8% last year. While experiencing volatility can be daunting as an investor, remember to take a long-term view. …












