Latest News

Making sure your pension assets go to the right people - the importance of pension death benefit nominations

What is intergenerational financial planning and what does it really mean to a bereaved family on the death of a loved one? We look at the importance of discussions about pension death benefits and in particular the accurate completion of nomination forms. .

The pension annual allowance trap

The annual allowance is an important number in the pension world. It sets the maximum tax-efficient amount of total contributions in a tax year – from any source – that can be made to pension schemes for your benefit. If the allowance is exceeded, then any tax relief you receive on the excess is effectively clawed back by the annual allowance charge.

Inflation hits a 10-year high - what could the impact be on your savings?

Rising inflation continues to represent a challenge to savers, who must at the very least aim to beat it to prevent their money from losing value in real terms. So how can cash savers bridge the gap?

Preparing for your year-end financial planning

As 5 April 2022 creeps ever closer, if you haven’t already, it is always good to try and get ahead with your year-end financial planning.

Capital Gains Tax and Inheritance Tax - where next?

Despite widespread speculation on likely changes to Capital Gains Tax (CGT) and Inheritance Tax (IHT) the Chancellor refrained from any reform of these taxes in 2021. What does this mean for farm businesses? 

Tax Payers pay out millions more in Inheritance Tax

Tax payers have paid £600m more in Inheritance Tax (IHT) than a year ago. The latest figures from HMRC show that between April and October this year, IHT receipts totalled £3.6bn compared with £3bn in the same period in 2020 – a rise of 20%.

So does this indicate that many families are not aware until it is too late? 

Don't underestimate the value of the State Pension

The value of the State Pension should not be overlooked as this forms a critical part of a retirement income for nearly all retired households, it will certainly be missed if it is not there.

State Pension triple lock suspended - what does this mean for pensioners?

Despite an amendment in the House of Lords to retain the earnings link of the triple lock next year, MPs in the House of Commons have rejected the move and it has been suspended meaning the value of the State Pension will rise by 3.1% in April 2022.

Changes to the Normal Minimum Pension age – could this affect you if changes are introduced?

HM Treasury has published its response to the consultation on the proposed increase of the Normal Minimum Pension Age (NMPA) from 55 to 57.

Social care funding reform - how will the changes affect you?

Read about the main changes affecting those commencing care In England from October 2023.