10th November 2021 From the way we wash our hands to the shape of our working day, the pandemic has affected our lives in countless ways. Now, a major survey by interactive investor has asked more than 10,000 Brits to identify just how their retirement has been shaped by Covid-19. The Great British Retirement Survey […]
Andrew Day
The pension mistake that is costing high earners thousands
10th November 2021 If you’re a higher- or additional-rate taxpayer, then one of the benefits of this is your ability to claim 40% or 45% tax relief on your pension contributions. However, despite this superb tax benefit, new research published in the Telegraph (£) has revealed that 8 out of 10 higher-rate taxpayers eligible to […]
Are interest rates set to rise? What a rate hike means for your savings and mortgage
10th November 2021 Since the global financial crisis in the late 2000s, interest rates in the UK have been at historic lows. Indeed, the Bank of England’s decision to cut the base rate in response to the initial lockdown saw rates fall to the lowest level in the Bank’s 326-year history. However, a recent spike […]
Your Q3 2021 market update
19th October 2021 After a positive few months, the third quarter saw global markets become more uncertain. Fears of rising inflation, increasing fuel prices, and continued Covid issues means the MSCI World Index was essentially flat during the three months to the end of September 2021. Emerging and Asian markets were particularly hard hit, most […]
What the new Health and Social Care Levy means for you and your finances
19th October 2021 On 7 September 2021, the prime minister, Boris Johnson, announced the government’s plans to pay for proposed social care reforms and increased NHS funding in England. The most notable announcements included a new Health and Social Care Levy on employment income alongside an increase in the rates of Dividend Tax. These two […]
7 things ABBA can teach you about financial planning
19th October 2021 Whether you grew up with their songs dominating the charts, or your first exposure was the musical Mamma Mia, ABBA have been part of the UK’s cultural landscape for almost half a century. Originally formed in 1972, the foursome of Agnetha, Anna-Frid, Bjorn, and Benny recently announced an unexpected reunion, with their […]
Why you should include your children (and parents) in your financial planning conversations
14th September 2021 Discussing personal finances can be a tough conversation for many people. It can be a stressful topic to face, particularly with your loved ones. Perhaps it’s embarrassing, fills you with anxiety, or simply makes you feel uncomfortable? In 2019, Lloyds Bank conducted a survey and found that half (50%) of UK adults […]
Parents underestimating student debt by nearly 50%
14th September 2021 The recent record A-Level results saw 44.3% of entries obtain a grade A or above. This terrific success means that more than 210,000 18-year-old students in England have had their university places confirmed already. Heading off to university can be a fulfilling and enriching experience – but these days it doesn’t come […]
Guide: Leaving an inheritance vs gifting during your lifetime
8th September 2021 Have you thought about how you’ll pass wealth on to those who are important to you? Traditionally, this has been done through inheritance, but it’s becoming more common to gift during your lifetime. Our latest guide explains why more families are choosing to gift during their lifetime and the pros and cons […]
Why planning for your death is one of the best gifts you can give your loved ones
18 August 2021As strange as it may sound, planning for your death isn’t really about you. In reality, your estate planning is about your family. It’s your chance to make decisions that safeguard your wealth for your children, grandchildren, or anyone else you want to have it. It’s also an opportunity to help deal with […]