With so much doom and gloom in the headlines every day, it can be easy to overlook the positive new stories, but there are plenty of them. From scientific innovations to projects that protect the natural world, here are some feel-good stories from 2022 that you may have missed.

1. The COVAX vaccination programme surpassed the 1 billion milestone

At the start of 2022, the COVAX vaccination programme reached a milestone – it delivered more than 1 billion Covid-19 vaccines. The United Nations-backed vaccine-sharing programme delivers the mu...

When a new tax year starts, your pension Annual Allowance resets. Maximising your allowance could help you reach retirement goals and it can be a tax-efficient way to invest for the long term.

The Annual Allowance limits how much can be added to your pension each tax year while retaining tax relief benefits. It covers all pension contributions, including those made by your employer and other third parties.

For most pension savers, their Annual Allowance is 100% of their annual income up to £40,000. If you haven’t made the most of your al...

Last year, chancellor Jeremy Hunt made some key announcements during the autumn statement that could affect how much tax you pay from April. Reviewing your financial plan could help you understand if you’ll be affected and make changes if necessary.

In sharp contrast to the mini-Budget delivered by former chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng in September, Hunt’s statement, delivered just two months later, increased taxes. As a result, you may find that you need to update your existing financial plan or that the amount of tax you pay increases.

The ...

Fewer workers are choosing to give up work on a set date. In fact, 34% of over-55s that haven’t given up work yet are gradually phasing into retirement, according to Legal & General figures.

A phased retirement can take many forms. You may decide to reduce your working hours or change your role to one that has fewer responsibilities. Others are taking the opportunity to become self-employed or even set up their own business. A phased retirement means you can ease into the next chapter of your life and create a work-life balance that suits...

Retirement is a milestone that’s often greeted with celebration. But what do you need to do to be happy during your later years? Research has revealed that it’s experiences, rather than material items, that are important.

A survey from Royal London found that 72% of those aged over 55 favoured experiences over material possessions. From seeing more of the world to trying a hobby you’ve always wanted to do, retirement offers an opportunity to create the life you want.

It’s not just the big-ticket experiences that those approaching retirem...

High levels of inflation and economic uncertainty continue to plague the investment markets. Investment portfolios are likely experiencing volatility – read on to find out what has been influencing markets.

Despite the doom and gloom statistics, financial services firm JP Morgan suggests that a global recession could be avoided as inflationary pressures ease.

As an investor, you may worry about what the current circumstances mean for your investments and financial goals. Remember, you should invest with a long-term time frame in mind and...

The amount of wealth that’s accessible through equity release is on the rise. It’s something more people are using to boost their income later in life for a variety of reasons. Read on to find out what equity release is and why people are using it.

You could use equity release to unlock property wealth

Equity release is a type of long-term loan that allows you to take out cash from the value of your home.

The most common way of doing this is through a lifetime mortgage. With this option, you don’t have to make loan repayments. Instead, ...

A trust can be a valuable financial tool when you want to pass on wealth to loved ones. Rather than simply handing over assets, you can set out your wishes and maintain control over how they’re used. So, understanding what your wishes are and how to ensure they’re followed is important.

A trust is a legal arrangement. It allows you to set aside assets, such as cash, investments, or property, for another person or persons, known as the “beneficiary”. Rather than the beneficiary having access to these assets to use as they wish, a trustee w...

More people are choosing to gift wealth during their lifetime rather than leaving assets as an inheritance. There are benefits to choosing a living legacy, but there are things you need to consider too, including your long-term financial security and the potential tax implications.

According to an Aviva survey, more than half of those over 55 want to give a living legacy. It’s a trend that suggests a move away from leaving money to your family when you pass away.

There are many reasons why you may want to create a living legacy, includin...