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 […]
Love is in the air with Valentine’s Day just around the corner. Amid planning romantic gestures, thinking about combining your financial plan with your partner’s could be valuable. Talking about finances might seem too practical for a day that’s about celebrating love. Yet, it could support your relationship. Here are two reasons why you might […]
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 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. […]
Language is powerful. The words you use to describe different scenarios can change how you perceive events, and the language used for retirement could lead to a pessimistic outlook. Writing in an article for Saga (21 October 2025), lexicographer Susie Dent explains that in English, “retire” has its roots in a Latin word meaning “to […]
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 […]
There is perhaps no better time than the festive season to sit down and enjoy a favourite board game with your loved ones. But as many families know, a friendly game can quickly get competitive. Sometimes this even leads to heated arguments over who gets to be the banker or who suddenly “forgot” to follow […]
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 […]
Amid mingling with friends and celebrating with family during the festive period, you might have quieter days to tackle some financial tasks as you enjoy a mince pie. Ticking off these jobs now could help ensure you have everything ready for 2026. 1. Go through your bank statements and Direct Debits Go through your bank […]
How your pension is invested will affect its value and the income it will provide you later in life. If you’ve put off reviewing your pension fund, find out why it could be a worthwhile task. While most pension providers offer savers plenty of fund options to choose from, many leave their money in the […]
