"How long am I going to live?" is a question that carries more weight the older we get. While many turn to the Office for National Statistics (ONS) life expectancy calculator for a quick answer, the raw numbers often mask a more complex reality. For a one-year-old...
As a means of drawing income in retirement, annuities have made a significant comeback, and for good reasons. Once considered the "forgotten" retirement product, they are now reclaiming their place at the heart of financial planning. From "Pension Freedoms" to a...
Are you inadvertently leaving money on the table when you contribute to your pension? A recent "Supplementary forecast information release" from the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) regarding the future of National Insurance and salary sacrifice may sound like a...
The start of the new tax year on 6 April (which falls on Easter Monday this year) brings a series of significant adjustments to the UK’s fiscal landscape. From shifts in investment incentives to the way you report income, these changes may have a direct impact on your...
A House of Lords committee has delivered a stinging critique of the government’s proposals to bring unused pension funds within the scope of Inheritance Tax (IHT). Examining the legislation within the current Finance Bill, the Economic Affairs sub-committee noted that...
If you have recently received a new tax code, it is important to review it carefully. Many taxpayers assume their code is correct, but mistakes can and do happen—sometimes leading to significant overpayments of income tax. Millions in Overpaid Tax A recent Freedom of...
Investment performance in 2025 delivered an unexpected result. Despite widespread confidence in continued US market dominance, it was the UK market that ultimately came out on top. Source: Investing.com – FTSE 100 vs S&P 500 A Year Dominated by US Narratives...
While much attention has focused on successive government freezes to personal tax thresholds, there is another long-running threshold freeze that could have similarly significant consequences for savers and retirement planning. The Success Story of Automatic Enrolment...
Many taxpayers who could be affected by upcoming changes to tax reporting are still unaware of what lies ahead. Communication challenges have historically made it difficult for taxpayers to stay informed, and with the introduction of Making Tax Digital (MTD), there is...
A Revised Fiscal Calendar The 2024 Budget Changes The 2024 Budget reshaped the Chancellor’s fiscal timetable. Key adjustments include: The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) will now publish only one full assessment per year, aligned with the Autumn Budget The...
The long-term consequences of governments repeatedly freezing the income tax personal allowance are starting to become more visible — and for many, the results may be unexpected. How We Got Here: Personal Allowance vs State Pension Looking Back to 2016 On 6 April...
The Autumn Budget at the end of November introduced a series of important changes for Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs) scheduled to take effect from April 2027. However, depending on your age and ISA usage, you may not feel the impact immediately. Budget...
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