Care home fees are rising – have you made a plan?

The importance of saving for retirement is shouted from the treetops – but a topic that gets less attention is paying for long-term care in old age.

2 mins

Equity release – Do I take the plunge?

Retired people looking for a boost to their income can use the value of their home to access cash.

3 mins

Five reasons why you should consider life cover

Life cover is an important part of financial planning - it might not be first on your list of priorities and as a result is commonly overlooked. Life insurance pays out a lump sum on your death which can be a lifeline for those you leave behind.

3 mins

A Matter of Inheritance

Leaving loved ones some financial security is a priority for many. So-called baby boomers have been fortunate to have benefited from soaring house prices and bumper pensions, which means they can often hand down a large estate to the next generations.

3 mins

Five ways to help cut mortgage costs

Mortgages hit the headlines last summer when rates started climbing. Around 1.4 million households are set to renew their home loans this year1 and borrowers across the board will see the cost of monthly repayments rise once they come to remortgage, thanks to the many interest rates from the Bank of England.

2 mins

Annuities are back – what’s the deal?

Careful planning for retirement is essential to ensure your pension savings last as long as you need them to.

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The State Pension 2023

The weekly state pension increased by 10.1% in April - the highest ever rise - for the 12.5 million people receiving the retirement benefit.

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UK house price recovery – are we there yet?

Recent Bank of England data suggests that housing market activity remained subdued in the opening months of 2023, with the number of mortgages approved for house purchase in February nearly 40% below the level prevailing a year ago, and around a third lower than pre-pandemic levels.

2 mins

Keeping it in the family

Understanding how to pass on wealth in the most tax efficient manner is key to cutting the amount that HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) can claim when it eventually comes to assessing inheritance tax (IHT).

4 mins

Early Bird ISA Investors Catch the Worm

Many ‘eleventh hour’ investors have rushed to complete their ISA applications over the last week or so to beat the end of tax year deadline. But it’s the early birds in the new tax year that can arguably catch the best tax breaks.

3 mins