Useful Articles

How much should you try to save to have a comfortable retirement?

The number of people saving enough for a comfortable retirement has hit its highest ever level, with almost three in five Britons (59%) now saving adequately for the future[1]. This is a significant improvement from the 55% proportion recorded 12 months ago, suggesting this April’s auto-enrolment step-up had an immediate positive impact on saving habits. Continue reading “Saving adequately for the future” →

Almost half of UK employees expect to work beyond the age of 65

When you picture yourself in your golden years, are you sitting on a beach, hitting the golf course or working behind a desk? Not ready to give up working and retire? For those who find adjusting to retirement difficult, the transition can be made smoother by working. For many, working provides more than a salary. It provides happiness and purpose, and staying in the working world can provide many lifestyle benefits in addition to financial gains. Continue reading “Not ready to give up working and retire?” →

Don’t miss out on this little-known tax rule

For those parents who have spare cash, putting money into their children’s pension will boost the retirement prospects of their offspring. The money will be topped up by the addition of tax relief and could also earn their children a tax refund if they are higher rate taxpayers and reduce the penalty they face if they are a higher earner receiving child benefit. Continue reading “Give a triple boost to your children” →

Helping you realise your long-term financial goals

So you’re looking to accumulate a sum of money by investing. You may have a specific amount in mind. This could be to go towards helping to fund your child’s university fees or to pay for a trip of a lifetime. Continue reading “Stocks & Shares ISA” →

Turning on the taps for an extra income stream to help you realise your ambitions

The best time to start investing was 20 years ago. The second best time to start investing is now. But as you have been building up your investment wealth over the decades, in all likelihood you’ve probably pursued growth above all else, looking to maximising the value of your savings. Continue reading “Investing for income, growth or both in retirement” →

Your five-year plan to a comfortable retirement

Retiring is a huge life event. And the very concept of retirement is changing with phased retirement becoming more common. The way we access our pension is now a lot more flexible, and it’s no secret that in the UK we’re living longer than ever before which means we need to make the right choices. Continue reading “What’s your magic number?” →

Turning pensions into money you can use

Today, you’ve got a number of options and permutations available when it comes to what to do with your pension in retirement. But lots of choice can also mean increased confusion. Continue reading “Show me the money” →

Those dearest to us, and those financially dependent upon us

If something should happen to you, the last thing you want is for you or your family to be worrying about money. One of the most important aspects of your financial planning should be to ensure that you’ve made provision for your family and any dependants in the event of a serious illness, injury or untimely death. Continue reading “Protecting what matters” →

‘Top 5’ list of planning areas

Making sure you use up any allowances you are entitled to is the first step to reducing the amount of tax you may be liable to pay. We’ve provided our top five list of planning areas to consider before 5 April 2020, the end of the 2019/20 tax year. The rates given are correct for the 2019/20 tax year. Continue reading “Taxing times” →

Your destiny is now in your own hands

If you are in your 50s or 60s, your thoughts are probably turning towards retirement. When should you retire? How much money do you need? Continue reading “Retirement longevity” →