Category Archivenews
Independent Financial Advisers
Phasing into retirement: The flexible options you might consider
Traditionally, you’d go from full-time employment to retirement on a set date. Now, more workers are embracing retirement flexibility and choosing to phase gradually into the next stage of their lives. Indeed, a survey published in September 2024 by WTW found that 49% of UK workers aged over 50 are already phasing into retirement or […]
Investment market update: August 2025
While global government policy – particularly US trade tariffs – continued to influence the value of investments in August 2025, many markets experienced less volatility compared to the start of the year. Read on to discover what factors may have affected the performance of your investments in August 2025. Hopes of a peace deal between […]
Planning for care: How to set out your wishes
Planning for the possibility of needing care can be daunting, but it also provides you with a sense of control and a chance to set out what your wishes would be. Over the last few months, you’ve read about why preparing a care plan is important and the potential costs of funding care later in […]
“Unrealistic” expectations could lead to long-term disappointment for investors
Investment returns significantly affect what you can achieve in your long-term plans. Naturally, you want the highest possible returns, but research shows many investors have “unrealistic” expectations. According to a July 2025 article in Financial Planning Today, the average UK investor expects annual investment returns of 9.2%. With 91% of investors stating they have a […]
Why the Labour government could reform the State Pension and what it means for you
Almost half of Brits doubt the State Pension will exist by the time they retire, according to a PensionsAge report published in July 2025. While scrapping the State Pension may not be on the cards yet, there are suggestions that significant changes, which may affect your retirement, could be introduced. In 2025/26, the full new […]
Don’t have a will? Here’s how your estate would be distributed under intestacy rules
A June 2025 article by Today’s Wills & Probate revealed a 25% rise in people dying without a valid will between 2020/21 and 2023/24. If writing your will is something you haven’t tackled yet, it could mean your assets are distributed in a way that doesn’t align with your wishes. If you die without a […]
How pension and Inheritance Tax policy changes could affect your legacy
From April 2027, pensions are expected to fall within your estate and could be liable for Inheritance Tax (IHT). That date might seem far away, but the policy change has the potential to significantly affect your estate plan, so thinking about it now could be useful. While the policy change is still in the initial […]
Investment market update: July 2025
The US struck trade deals with several countries in July 2025, leading to markets rising and putting an end to some of the uncertainty that had plagued investors for months. Read on to find out what else may have affected your investments recently. While it might seem like 2025 has been a poor year for […]
4 times you might want to review your financial plan
When you create your financial plan, you might envision everything following the path you’ve set out. However, life is often unexpected, and your plan should be updated to reflect changes to your circumstances. So, as well as your regular meetings, you might want to book additional reviews with your financial planner to ensure your plan […]
How to remain calm amid Autumn Budget speculation
The importance of remaining calm is often something that’s talked about when discussing investment market volatility. But there are other factors outside of your control that might lead to emotional decision-making, including uncertainty about the upcoming Autumn Budget. Chancellor Rachel Reeves is expected to deliver an Autumn Budget at the end of October. Despite being […]