Category Archivenews
Independent Financial Advisers
Investment market update: May 2026
There were highs and dips in the investment markets in May 2026. Discover some of the factors that may have affected your portfolio’s performance. Remember, short-term market movements are a normal part of investing. When you’re reviewing returns, it’s typically a good idea to look at the bigger picture and assess performance over several years. […]
4 ways you could choose to pass on assets to loved ones
Do you want to create a legacy by passing on assets to your loved ones? There’s more than one way to do it, and you might want to combine several different options. As part of your estate plan, you might want to consider who you’d like to benefit from your estate and how you will […]
Why the State Pension triple lock matters for retirees
The triple lock increases the State Pension year-on-year to protect pensioners from the effects of inflation. Learn how the triple lock works, how it benefits retirees, and two additional strategies you might use to mitigate the effect of inflation on your personal pension wealth alongside your State Pension. The triple lock ensures your State Pension […]
5 questions to answer before you withdraw a pension lump sum to reduce Inheritance Tax
From 6 April 2027, many unused pension pots will be included in Inheritance Tax (IHT) calculations. Since the government announced the change in the 2024 Autumn Budget, an increasing number of people have opted to withdraw their tax-free lump sum from their pension as soon as they can. Currently, you can access your pension from […]
Balancing your goals: How to manage your medium-term goals
It can be easy to overlook medium-term goals when reviewing your long-term plans. Yet, they’re often important for your wellbeing. Find out how you might manage your medium-term goals. Last month, you read about how you might manage your wealth when working towards short-term goals. Now, read on to discover some options you might want […]
Are you supporting a loved one? You might need a Lasting Power of Attorney to act
Millions of well-intentioned people in the UK are helping their loved ones manage their online financial accounts, but could risk having these accounts frozen because they don’t have a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) in place. Lloyds’s 2024 Consumer Digital Index (3 November 2025) suggests 1 in 5 adults – the equivalent of 11 million […]
How the value of your estate affects a key Inheritance Tax allowance
Inheritance Tax (IHT) is a growing concern for many people in the UK, with increasing numbers of estates facing a rising tax liability. Each year, the amount of IHT paid to HMRC is increasing. By 2030/31, the Office for Budget Responsibility (February 2026) forecasts that IHT receipts will reach £14.5 billion, up from £8.3 billion […]
Powerful reasons to plan how to use your 2026/27 allowances and exemptions now
The 2026/27 tax year started on 6 April 2026. While you have until 5 April 2027 to use tax-efficient allowances and exemptions, making a plan now could be valuable. Here are four powerful reasons to consider your tax strategy for the current tax year. Avoid last-minute stress as the end of the tax year approaches […]
Investment market update: April 2026
During April 2026, markets have continued to experience volatility as the conflict in the Middle East has developed. Find out what external factors may have affected the performance of your investments. One effect of the conflict on global markets is the rising price of energy. Indeed, analysis from UBS suggests that March 2026 experienced the […]
Wealth v strategy: Why a financial plan is essential
Building wealth without a financial plan may be like searching for a destination without a map. You might miss the most efficient route, take an unnecessary detour, or miss your intended target altogether. A clear plan could be essential for helping you reach your goals. If you’re simply accumulating wealth, your assets don’t have a […]