Resources

You can now access your pension in more ways than ever before, after the Government introduced wide-ranging changes in April 2015. These changes give you more options, so it’s important that you take time to think carefully before you decide what to do with your money.

When someone dies, Inheritance Tax needs to be considered. Without the right professional advice and careful financial planning, HM Revenue & Customs can become the single largest beneficiary of your estate following your death. To evaluate whether or not Inheritance Tax could become payable, all of your assets you hold at the date of death need to be valued, and reliefs and exemptions determined.

Reviewing your retirement date regularly as you get older makes real sense, and most modern pension plans enable you to change and update this date whenever you choose.

There are many things to consider when looking to protect your family and assets. Whatever your priorities are, the sooner you start thinking about IHT planning, the more you can do.

There’s a fundamental lack of awareness and understanding around Inheritance Tax, especially when it comes to how Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs) are treated after death. Given that some people have been able to amass over a million pounds in their ISAs, it’s an area where lack of knowledge could prove costly.

Even if retirement isn’t far away, there are steps you could take to increase your eventual retirement income. This applies both to your State Pension entitlement as well as to any personal or workplace pension pots. We’ve provided some areas to consider that you may wish to discuss with us to help you to meet your retirement goals.

By the time we have been working for a decade or two, it is not uncommon to have accumulated multiple pension plans. There’s no wrong time to start thinking about pension consolidation, but you might find yourself thinking about it if you’re starting a new job or nearing retirement.

Retirement is a time for you to do the things you’ve always wanted. When considering your retirement income needs, you need to consider the types of events you would like to happen after you retire that may impact your budget. Thinking about these early could help you when you’re deciding the best way to take your pension savings.

A recent study by Citizen’s Advice found nine out of ten people would fail to spot common warning signs of a pension scam, such as unusually high investment returns, cold calling and offers of free financial advice. Read our factsheet for more information.

Being more aware of the great things health allows us to do means we’re more likely to take care of the little things.

Half (49%) of retirees now say they view their post-work years as an exciting phase of life, with many using their free time to learn, see and experience new things.

Retirement can mean different things to different people. Understanding how much it will take to provide an income for yourself and potentially a spouse, while also ensuring you are able to leave something behind for your loved ones after your death, is essential.

Older workers are finding themselves caught in a position of retirement roulette, as many are relying on external factors such as a downsizing, an inheritance or even a lottery win to be able to afford a comfortable retirement, according to Aviva’s latest Real Retirement Report.

Obtaining the right legal and financial guidance and support is vital when dealing with pensions (and indeed the other assets and financial issues) in the event of a divorce.

It is impossible to consider retirement, and our experience of it, without also considering how we’ll pay for it. But almost 30% of people over the age of 55 are unsure if they will be able to retire on their current savings, according to new research.

A Self-Invested Personal Pension is a type of pension called a ‘defined contribution pension’ that allows you access to a wider choice of investments when it comes to saving for your retirement. Please read our factsheet for more information on a SIPP.

It can be very hard to discuss money or death with family members. owever, it is always best to have a plan in place so that you know everything is in place. ead our factsheet for more on Inheritance Tax.

Pensions should play an important part in everyone's long-term financial planning, so ensure that you make the most of any employer's contriburions. Read our factsheet to ensure you have enough saved to keep doing the things you love. 

Transforming your retirement dreams into reality requires planning. Read our factsheet to find out about things to consider if you really do want retirement to be the time of your life.

The choices you make for your pension fund can determine the level of income you receive for the rest of your life. Read this factsheet to find out what best suits your pension needs.

Making sure you have enough money in retirement is likely to be at the heart of planning for your retirement. Read this factsheet to find out more about setting a plan to help you achieve your retirement goals.

Employers need to understand your automatic enrolment duties, the impact on your business and the changes you’ll have to make. Read our Auto-enrolment and Workplace Pensions factsheet for key workplace pension considerations.

If you have not retired but have a specific retirement date in mind, make sure you have sufficient savings in your pension pot. Read our factsheet to find out what you need to plan to prevent the financial equivalent of climate change.

Saving for retirement is essential if you want the financial freedom to enjoy your later years. Read our latest retirement factsheet for more information.

Read our Election factsheet to review the considerations immediately post-Election

Small steps taken early on can make a huge difference. Read our factsheet to find out more about how you could make your pension goals achievable.

Thousands of people have at least one pension that they have forgotten about. Read our factsheet about forgotten pensions to consider what to do if you think you have a fogotten pension

With a Lifetime Individual Savings Account, you can use some or all of the money to buy your first home or keep it until you're 60. Read our factsheet to find our more about the Lifetime Individual Savings Account.

An LPA is used to delegate power to someone to manage an individual’s personal and/or welfare affairs in the event that they become mentally incapacitated. Read our factsheet to find out more about a Lasting Power of Attorney

Equity Release provides home-owners over the age of 55 with the facility to release money from their home. Read our Equity Release Guide for a detailed overview of steps involved in making a decision about releasing equity from your property.

The new stamp duty rules could affect the ability for many newly married couples and registered civil partners to purchase their first home together. Read our factsheet to find out more about stamp duty changes

Buy-to-let landlords now receive a lower rate of tax relief on mortgage payments. Read our factsheet about changes to Buy to Let Mortgages