As Summer Fades, an Autumn Budget Looms… As the warmth of summer holidays gives way to autumn, attention shifts once again to the Autumn Budget and the speculation that surrounds it. A Familiar Story of Deficits and Reversals From 2024 to 2025 In July 2024, Rachel...
Two Views of the State Pension: The Future of the Triple Lock The long-term future of the State Pension triple lock has been called into question by two respected groups of economists, raising concerns about its sustainability. What is the Triple Lock? How It Works...
The Chartwell Financial Services team recently enjoyed a busy day in Edinburgh, visiting the Aberdeen HQ. Travelling together by train, the whole team had the opportunity to tour the Aberdeen offices, meet the account managers and call handlers they work with daily,...
Recent HMRC data reveals that company cars are enjoying a revival, with a significant rise in electric vehicle (EV) adoption leading the charge. The Comeback of Company Cars A Rebound After Years of Decline Between 2015/16 and 2020/21, company car ownership fell by...
With changes to Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs) expected in the Autumn Budget, one variant has come under heavy criticism from the Treasury Select Committee: the Lifetime ISA (LISA). The Origins of the Lifetime ISA A Product of George Osborne’s Final Budget The...
Time to Update the Wills Act 1837? It might surprise you to learn that the law governing wills in England and Wales, the Wills Act, dates back to 1837. While it has seen amendments over the years, many of its original Victorian provisions remain. This enduring legacy...
Chancellor U-turns on Winter Fuel Payment Eligibility In a significant policy shift, Chancellor Rachel Reeves has largely reversed the controversial changes made to the Winter Fuel Payment (WFP) eligibility. In July 2024, one of her initial decisions as Chancellor was...
Parliament's Ongoing Focus on Pension Reform Pension legislation is a constant feature of parliamentary activity in the UK. Whether it's the Chancellor adjusting tax rules or the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) overhauling private or state pension frameworks,...
Understanding Retirement Living Standards Determining the ideal income for a comfortable retirement is a common concern. Every year since 2019, the Pension and Lifetime Savings Association (PLSA), in collaboration with Loughborough University, publishes crucial...
The Delayed Report on Salary Sacrifice for Pensions HMRC recently published a report, "Understanding the attitudes and behaviours of employers towards salary sacrifice for pensions," which, rather unusually, was based on data collected in summer 2023 and dated January...
Understanding HMRC's Simple Assessment From June 2025, HMRC will begin issuing "simple assessment" letters, a new form of communication that is expected to catch many recipients by surprise. These letters are part of HMRC's effort to streamline tax collection for...
Your Pension: Who's Really Making the Investment Decisions? The UK Government is increasingly taking an active interest in the investment strategies, or lack thereof, of pension funds across the country. Government's Tightening Financial Stance As highlighted by...
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