Impact investing: How does it differ from traditional investment strategies?
When you make an investment on the stock market, your usual aim is to make a good financial return. While you might avoid certain companies you believe are unethical or risky, in general, the primary focus is on profit. Impact investing is a slightly different concept. The aim of these investments is to deliver a […]
Guide: Your guide to planning for later-life care
Thinking about life after you finish work usually involves planning for your retirement. This means considering how to enjoy your hard-earned wealth, perhaps by travelling, spending time with friends and family, or treating yourself to something you’ve always dreamt of having, such as a new car or the holiday of a lifetime. However, there is […]
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. […]
3 tips for using AI to amplify your skills
Artificial intelligence (AI) can be a powerful tool to boost your productivity and skills in a broad range of areas. But knowing how to use it effectively isn’t as simple as it might sound. AI may be advanced, but it’s also imperfect. As such, relying on it too heavily could lead to problems. When used […]
Your guide to managing equity release drawdown
Equity release could provide a way to unlock property wealth without having to move from your home or make repayments. As a result, it could be a valuable way to boost your retirement income or fund one-off expenses later in life. The most common form of equity release is known as a lifetime mortgage. The […]
4 practical reasons why business owners could benefit from a pension
For many UK business owners, retirement planning takes a back seat to growing the business itself. Indeed, according to Financial Planning Today (27 April 2026), 3 in 10 business owners have no pension at all. When you’re focused on managing cash flow, staff, and profits, it’s easy to assume the eventual sale of your business […]
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 […]
Revealed: The hidden benefits of long-term financial planning
When you think about the benefits of long-term financial planning, the opportunity to work with a professional to increase your assets might be the first thing that comes to mind. While that might form part of some financial plans, the hidden benefits may be even more valuable to you. A financial plan isn’t only focused […]
Guide: How to plan for a 100-year life
The number of people celebrating their 100th birthday in the UK is on the rise. As life expectancy continues to increase, it is more important than ever to plan financially for a 100-year life. According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), there were 16,600 centenarians in 2024 – double the number in 2004 (21 […]
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 […]