Should you voluntarily pay National Insurance contributions to boost your State Pension?
Posted by siteadmin on Thursday 21st of July 2022

The State Pension is often an important part of your retirement income, so should you top up your National Insurance contributions (NICs) to increase it?
Even if you have other pensions or income in retirement, your State Pension can be valuable. As it’ll be paid from when you reach State Pension Age for the rest of your life, it can provide some financial security that you can build on and so may affect other decisions you make.
For the 2022/23 tax year, the full State Pension is £185.15 a week
Before you consider whether you should to...
How delaying retirement could help you maintain your standard of living as inflation rises
Posted by siteadmin on Thursday 21st of July 2022

As the rate of inflation continues to rise, it’s more important than ever that those approaching retirement consider how the rising cost of living could affect them. For some people, delaying or changing plans could mean they have greater financial security later in life.
According to Aegon, maintaining living standards is the top retirement aspiration among people receiving financial advice.
In the 12 months to June 2022, prices increased by 9.4%. As day-to-day costs rise at a quicker pace than normal, it can make it much more diffi...
Modern retirees are increasing their spending in later years, and it could affect your financial security
Posted by siteadmin on Thursday 21st of July 2022

A trend among modern retirees to increase their spending as they get older could mean that some run out of money during their lifetime. The new research is an important reminder to consider how your spending needs will change during your retirement.
Traditionally, spending has been higher during the initial few years of retirement as retirees tick off milestone goals and bucket list items before spending settles down. And in recent decades, as people live longer, spending has also increased in later years as some people have needed to pay...
The useful guide to reaching your retirement goals
Posted by siteadmin on Wednesday 27th of April 2022

Getting the most out of retirement and reaching your goals requires planning.
Not thinking about your post-work years until you reach that milestone can mean that a retirement that promised much, falls short. While you might daydream about giving up work, pinning down the details, from your lifestyle to your income, means you’re more likely to turn your dream into a reality.
This guide can help you start to think about the retirement you want and the steps you need to take to secure it. Among the questions it can help you answer are:
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Investment market update: March 2022
Posted by siteadmin on Wednesday 13th of April 2022

Throughout March, the war in Ukraine continued to dominate headlines and affect investment portfolios around the world.
Many companies, from well-known businesses like L’Oréal and Coca-Cola to smaller firms, have withdrawn operations from Russia, including online sales. Others, such as Unilever and Nestlé, have halted investment in the country but are continuing to provide some goods.
This has led to some volatility within the markets, although they did rally towards the end of the month.
Sanctions on Russia mean the price of some goods...
Do you think you’d never be fooled by a scammer after watching the Tinder Swindler? Here are the tricks fraudsters use
Posted by siteadmin on Wednesday 13th of April 2022

Have you watched the Tinder Swindler or Puppet Master on Netflix and wondered how people could fall for the scams?
Watching the stories unfold through a screen means you can spot the red flags and inconsistencies, but when a scammer is targeting you, it can be much harder than you think to look at your situation objectively.
Over the last few months, TV shows showing huge scams that fraudsters have pulled off have become incredibly popular.
The Tinder Swindler racked up 45.8 million views in the first week it was available on Netflix, a...
Why it pays to use your 2022/23 ISA allowance right now
Posted by siteadmin on Wednesday 13th of April 2022

The 2022/23 tax year has only just started, but you should already start thinking about how you’ll use your allowances over the next 12 months. It can help maximise your assets.
In the 2022/23 tax year you can deposit up to £20,000 into ISAs. If you don’t use this allowance before the end of the tax year, you lose it. You can save or invest tax-efficiently through an ISA, so making full use of your allowance can help your money go further.
The period from February to the beginning of April is sometimes dubbed “ISA season” as savers and i...
“Midlifers” are hit by time and financial pressures. Financial planning can help balance your priorities
Posted by siteadmin on Wednesday 13th of April 2022

Individuals aged between 40 and 60 – dubbed “midlifers” – are facing time and financial pressures as they try to support their families. Many are feeling the strain and don’t have the resources to focus on their own goals, and financial planning could help.
According to a survey from Legal & General, 6 million midlifers are finding themselves caught in the middle of providing financial support to adult children and providing unpaid care to ageing relatives. On top of this, it’s a crucial period for securing their own financial future and ...
HMRC refunds £42 million in overpaid tax to pensioners. Have you paid too much?
Posted by siteadmin on Wednesday 13th of April 2022

When you retire, your income may be coming from multiple sources, and it may not be regular. This can lead to some retirees being overtaxed. While you can claim back overpaid tax, it could affect your plans and you may not realise you’ve paid too much.
Understanding your tax liability can help you manage your budget and income in retirement.
Retirees have overpaid around £835 million in tax since 2015
In the last quarter of 2021 alone, HMRC returned more than £42 million in overpaid tax to those accessing their pension, according to an ...
Why good retirement planning is about more than your pension and money
Posted by siteadmin on Wednesday 13th of April 2022

If you’re nearing retirement, you may be starting to think about planning the next stage of your life.
What steps spring to mind? You may prioritise organising your pension, claiming your State Pension, or reviewing how much you have in a savings account. These steps are important for creating security, yet good retirement planning goes further than your finances.
So, what should retirement planning include? Setting out lifestyle goals is crucial for building a retirement plan that means you get the most out of your life.
Here are five ...
