Mismatch between retirement expectations and actual reality Retirement is a chance to do more of what you enjoy. When it comes to planning for your retirement, you need to think about what you’d like your life to be like. There is no set retirement age in the UK any longer, so you can carry on … Continue reading “Will I have enough money through retirement?”

Tangible benefits older workers bring to the workplace The days of an employee turning 65, getting a gold watch or carriage clock and being ushered into a new world of golf, retirement communities and early-bird specials are rapidly disappearing. People are living longer, and organisations are shifting their attitudes toward older workers as a result.

Why longevity also brings with it some unique financial challenges Statistics clearly show that Britons are living longer. While a long life can be a good thing, longevity also brings with it some unique financial challenges. Our ageing population is drastically altering the economic landscape of the UK, the latest figures from the Office for … Continue reading “Economically active”

Income gap between the wealthiest and poorest pensioners is growing The members of Britain’s baby boomer generation who are now entering retirement have been called ‘the richest generation in history’. But the income gap between the wealthiest and poorest pensioners is growing, with those in the top pension income band now having an average weekly … Continue reading “Pensioner wealth”

Signs you are not financially ready to retire Those potentially most exposed to a pension shortfall are not people just entering the workforce, most of whom presume they will work until their 70s and will receive limited support from the state. Those most at risk of enduring a more frugal older age are those currently … Continue reading “Pension shortfall exposure”

Out of adversity comes opportunity Under new Prime Minister Boris Johnson, the Government has toughened its stance on a no-deal Brexit, which it has said is ‘now a very real prospect’. 23 June marked three years since the UK voted to leave the European Union.

Don’t be penalised by the tax system when you exercise your freedoms The ‘pension freedom’ reforms of 2015 were welcomed by consumers, as they vastly widened options available to most savers at retirement. Pension freedoms allow savers to have the flexibility on how and when to spend their money without being penalised by the tax … Continue reading “Taxing times ahead”

Looking after your lifestyle during a time of uncertainty Nobody wants to worry about how they’ll pay the bills if they become sick or injured and can’t work. But illness or injury can strike at any time and can lead to serious financial trouble. The latest government figures[1] report the dramatic increase in the likelihood … Continue reading “Financial support”

How do you leave a legacy which serves your family’s best interests? Will you be one of the thousands of households in Britain that will have to pay Inheritance Tax? What’s the best way to avoid it? If you’re administering an estate because someone has died, how do you obtain probate? Is it ever possible … Continue reading “Inheritance Tax”

How to apply the additional threshold The Inheritance Tax residence nil-rate band (RNRB) came into effect on 6 April 2017. The RNRB provides an additional nil-rate band where an individual dies on or after 6 April 2017, owning a residence which they leave to direct descendants. During the 2019/20 tax year, the maximum RNRB available … Continue reading “Residence nil-rate band”