The £12.3 billion cost of delaying estate planning
Affluent families who delay estate planning could miss out on chances to reduce a potential Inheritance Tax (IHT) bill and pass more on to their families. Find out if you could benefit from considering IHT and how you might pass on assets tax-efficiently. According to a report covered by Today’s Wills and Probate (5 June…
How a cashflow model could provide clarity about your retirement income
Having a reliable income in retirement could give you the freedom to create a lifestyle you enjoy and achieve those bucket-list goals you’ve dreamed about for years. In a 2023 survey by Legal & General, 94% of UK adults said their most important retirement dream is to feel financially secure for the rest of their…
Investing is a skill: How to build confidence and positive habits
How do you become a better investor? It’s a skill, and like any other skill, it can be improved by forming positive habits and expanding your knowledge. Yet, many people think successful investors are born with the skills they need. According to an Aviva survey (26 May 2026), 61% of respondents think some people are…
The psychology of fear in investing: Why mastering it could support long-term success
Investing is often as much about emotions as it is about numbers. One emotion that might affect how you invest at times is fear. Learning how fear influences investment decisions and how to master it could support your long-term success. Fear could strike investors in multiple ways There’s more than one form that fear can…
Balancing your goals: How a financial plan could help you juggle different priorities
Most people will have multiple financial goals they want to achieve. A common challenge is balancing these competing goals and understanding how to use your assets to work towards them. It’s an area that a financial plan could help you with. Over the last few months, you’ve read about short-, medium-, and long-term goals that…
Investment market update: June 2026
According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), a global recession could occur if the conflict in Iran continued into 2027. The organisation warned that delays in agreeing a peace deal would affect global growth and cause energy shortages. Indeed, the OECD said in a scenario where the conflict continues into 2027, global…
Investment market update: May 2026
There were highs and dips in the investment markets in May 2026. Discover some of the factors that may have affected your portfolio’s performance. Remember, short-term market movements are a normal part of investing. When you’re reviewing returns, it’s typically a good idea to look at the bigger picture and assess performance over several years….
Why earning more than £100,000 doesn’t have to mean falling into a tax trap
A hidden marginal tax rate that affects workers earning between £100,000 and £125,140 is often dubbed a “tax trap”, and research suggests it’s shaping career decisions. However, there are ways you might mitigate the additional tax charge without putting the brakes on your career progression. The Personal Allowance is £12,570 in 2026/27, and you can…
5 questions to answer before you withdraw a pension lump sum to reduce Inheritance Tax
From 6 April 2027, many unused pension pots will be included in Inheritance Tax (IHT) calculations. Since the government announced the change in the 2024 Autumn Budget, an increasing number of people have opted to withdraw their tax-free lump sum from their pension as soon as they can. Currently, you can access your pension from…
7 ways financial planning could help you reduce stress
Financial worries are common, but engaging with your finances and creating a long-term plan could ease stress. According to research from Virgin Money (1 October 2025), 89% of people in the UK experience money worries, and a third said they experience this regularly. Financial concerns can spill into other areas of your life. If you’re…
Revealed: The hidden benefits of long-term financial planning
When you think about the benefits of long-term financial planning, the opportunity to work with a professional to increase your assets might be the first thing that comes to mind. While that might form part of some financial plans, the hidden benefits may be even more valuable to you. A financial plan isn’t only focused…
Why you could benefit from reviewing your financial habits as you transition into retirement
Retirement is a significant life transition. Some of the financial habits that served you well during your working life might no longer suit your retirement lifestyle. Sticking to your current financial habits could mean you miss out on opportunities to enjoy your retirement, or even mean you risk using up your savings too soon. Read…