4.8 million retirees are ‘going without’ The British would like to have three quarters of their working income in retirement. However, pensions remain an obscure topic for many, and 44% have not yet started to save for retirement [1].

When was the last time you discussed the family’s finances? The unexpected death of a spouse can lead to considerable financial problems if the surviving partner is not fully aware of the state of the family’s finances. All too often, couples do not fully discuss the implications of the death of a spouse or partner, […]

Flexibility to use your pension pot in the way that suits your needs Working out how to make adequate financial provision for retirement is one of the most important financial decisions most of us will ever face. However, it can be a daunting topic, and the options may seem overwhelming. Over the past year, there […]

Have we become a nation comfortable with debt? Almost one third of retired people were still carrying debt at the point they gave up full-time work according to research[1] from YouGov and Old Mutual Wealth. The findings showed that the average amount of debt held at the point of retirement is £34,500; however, 19% of […]

Save your family unnecessary distress at an already difficult time Your Will tells everyone what should happen to your money, possessions and property after you die (all these things together are called your ‘estate’). If you don’t leave a Will, the law decides how your estate is passed on – and this may not be […]

Older generation choose to work into later life amidst family concerns More than a third (34%) of over-55s plan to continue working past what would previously have been considered their retirement age of 65, according to figures released from Scottish Widows think tank the Centre for the Modern Family.

One of the most tax-efficient ways of saving for retirement If you want the freedom to manage your own investments that will enable you to achieve your retirement goals, a Self-Invested Personal Pension (SIPP) could be an option for you to consider. A SIPP is a pension ‘wrapper’ that holds investments until you retire and […]

Overvalued Chinese shares come to a shuddering halt after hitting a seven-year peak In August, the Chinese Government attempted to stimulate the economy by devaluing its currency (the Renminbi) and suspending trading on many stocks. The effect of this caused a tsunami throughout both Chinese and global markets, followed by significant falls in global stock […]

Give your children or grandchildren a financial present they can unwrap With Christmas just round the corner, making an investment for your children or grandchildren is a great way to give them a financial start in life, long after the festivities are over. Even small amounts can really add up if you save regularly from […]

Reaping the benefits of workplace pension savings Three years have passed since the introduction of auto enrolment, and employees are really starting to reap the benefits of workplace pension savings. New research has revealed that employer contributions are crucial to boosting pension savings for over half (54%) of those enrolled in a defined contribution pension […]