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Articles of interest

Many Britons unaware of incorrect tax codes
What you need to know to avoid discrepancies and potential financial strain
According to research[1], almost a third of UK adults who have checked their tax code (31%) have found that they have been on the wrong one at some point. Additionally, one in six (15%) UK adults do not know if they are on the right tax code.
The findings also reveal that nearly a third (31%) of UK adults who have examined their tax code discovered errors at

Minimise Inheritance Tax
Allow your loved ones to benefit more from your accumulated wealth
Effective planning minimises the burden of Inheritance Tax (IHT), allowing your loved ones to benefit more from your accumulated wealth. If the value of your estate is above the £325,000 threshold (2024/25 tax year), the part of your estate above it could be liable for tax at the rate of 40%.
Fortunately, various strategies can help manage this liability. These approaches range from straightforward methods, such as utilising IHT

Only two-fifths of Britons know how to boost their Pension
How much money will you have for retirement, where it’s invested, and what are you being charged?
According to new research[1], just two-fifths (42%) of the UK population know how to contribute more to their pension. The study also found that a quarter of those with multiple pots would not know where to start consolidating multiple pension pots accrued throughout their working life.
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) Financial Lives Survey reported that 47% have not reviewed how much their

Placing assets into a Trust
Ensuring your legacy is managed according to your wishes long into the future
Trusts are a powerful tool for estate planning, providing flexibility and control over asset distribution. Properly structured, they can address various scenarios and requirements, ensuring that your legacy is managed according to your wishes long into the future.
Trusts separate assets’ legal ownership from their beneficial ownership. The legal owner holds the title and is empowered to deal with and administer Trust assets, while the beneficial owner

Quarter of retirees financially struggling despite paying off mortgage
Urgent need for effective financial strategies and support systems to ensure a dignified and secure retirement
According to a new study[1], around 21% of retirees say that, after paying off their mortgage, they are “unable to live fulfilling lives” due to insufficient retirement funds. This situation underscores the financial challenges many retirees face, even after achieving what many consider the major milestone of homeownership.
Over a fifth—22%—of retirees surveyed were already reducing or stopping medication spending. Additionally, 15% were skipping

Retirees supporting family and friends financially
Nearly 40% support grown-up children, a spouse or partner, a parent, an elderly relative, or a friend
When times are hard, it makes sense that families will look for ways to support each other emotionally and financially. And if you’re one of the many retirees supporting family and friends financially, you’re not alone.
With financial pressures such as day-to-day living costs fuelled by inflation, expensive property, and education fees, retirees are increasingly expected to give their grown-up children, family members,

Retirement experience among over 55s
Money, or lack thereof, a significant driver of overall retirement satisfaction
Given the ongoing economic pressures of rising living costs, over 55s were asked how they find the overall retirement experience. The research found that four in five (79%) of over 55s who have retired did so without the help of financial guidance or advice, preferring to opt for a DIY approach to managing their finances[1].
This comes as nearly one in three (29%) of the same group admit they

Retirement matters
Making the right decisions today could boost your
retirement pot and make the future a whole lot brighter
When considering retirement planning, pension savings are a crucial component of your financial strategy and essential for a comfortable retirement. Securing the right professional advice is critical, as decisions made at this stage will significantly impact you and your family.
Saving in a pension is one of the most tax-efficient ways to invest for your future. However, to many people, it’s

State pension awareness
What payments can you expect to receive from the government later in life?
In April 2024, the state pension rose by 8.5% to £11,502.40 a year for post-2016 retirees. However, according to new research[1], one in seven (14%) retirees receive less money from the state pension than expected. This highlights the need for more information about the payments people can expect to receive from the government later in life.
Over a fifth (22%) of retirees also said they entered retirement

The importance of drafting a Will
Protect your family from uncertainty and potential conflicts
Many people still lack a properly organised estate plan despite the numerous benefits of writing a Will—such as getting our finances in order, planning our legacy, and ensuring that our loved ones are well looked after.
By taking the proactive step to draft a Will, you can protect your family from uncertainty and potential conflicts, ensuring that your legacy is preserved according to your exact intentions. If you haven’t done so already,

Ways to reduce a Capital Gains Tax liability
How will you ensure more of your money will go towards your future?
From using your annual exemption to saving in an Individual Savings Account (ISA), we look at ways to reduce a Capital Gains Tax (CGT) liability potentially. Cuts to the CGT exemption mean that arranging your investments as tax-efficiently as possible is more important than ever.
The CGT annual exemption more than halved from £12,300 to £6,000 on 6 April 2023 and dropped again to £3,000 from 6

Young women and retirement
How much income will you need for a comfortable retirement?
Almost a quarter (23%) of women in their 20s (aged 22-29 years) would be frustrated if they couldn’t retire by the age of 60, according to new research[1]. Despite this, 10% of this group have opted out of their employer’s pension scheme, further risking their chances of retiring when they plan to.
Additionally, 35% don’t know how much income they would need for a comfortable retirement, and nearly two in