Guide: Everything you need to know about the State Pension
Having a stable income when you retire could give you the independence to enjoy a meaningful and fulfilling life after work. Indeed, a July 2023 survey by Legal & General found that 94% of UK adults said that financial security was their most important retirement dream. Your State Pension, along with other savings and investments, […]
The pros and cons of overpaying your mortgage
Overpaying your mortgage to clear it sooner sounds like an excellent step to take if you’re in a position to do so. However, it’s not always straightforward, and in some cases, other options may suit you better. Read on to learn more about the pros and cons of overpaying your mortgage. 2 reasons to overpay […]
3 reasons why pension consolidation could boost your retirement income
Increasingly, UK savers are losing track of their pensions. In October 2024, research by Pensions UK found that the total value of lost pension pots had risen by 60% since 2018. Losing track of your pensions can be costly. Across the 3.3 million pension pots considered lost, the average fund value is £9,470 – rising […]
How a cashflow model can turn retirement anxiety into excitement
Retiring should be a milestone you look forward to. It’s a chance to spend your time how you want and do the things you’ve been putting off because work has been in the way. Yet, sadly, research shows UK adults associate spending their retirement savings with negative words, and it could prevent them from enjoying […]
5 signs that financial bias could be affecting your decisions
Everyone is affected by bias when they’re making decisions. However, while some choices will have little effect on your future, financial decisions could significantly affect your long-term security. When it comes to money, you ideally want to focus on logic and long-term goals rather than acting on biases. Financial bias refers to the unconscious tendencies […]
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 […]
What footballer Kevin Keegan tells us about retirement planning
This guest blog was written by Chris Budd, who wrote the original Financial Wellbeing Book as well as The Four Cornerstones of Financial Wellbeing. He founded the Institute for Financial Wellbeing and has written more than 100 episodes of the Financial Wellbeing Podcast. For most people, retiring is a goal. Pick an age, create a […]
3 of the best road trips around Scotland
Journeying through Scotland is a treat for your senses. You’ll encounter beautiful, unspoilt landscapes, rugged terrain, and picturesque views, with all kinds of natural habitats and wildlife along the way. These road trips are an adventure in themselves, so it’s all about the journey, rather than the destination. Here, we’ve put together three of our […]
5 estate planning myths and the truth behind the misconceptions
Estate planning can be a sensitive and complex subject. For some people, confronting what will happen after they die is too difficult. Others think that they’ve already done everything they need to and can stand down. It’s an area in which myths and misconceptions are plentiful, and it’s easy to accept something as true when […]
What actually happens to your pension savings when you die?
Your pension is a valuable asset, accruing throughout your working life in readiness for your retirement. You might not even give it too much thought, as most of the time it’s ticking away in the background. But as with all your financial assets, it does need a little attention to make sure it’s working in […]