Latest News & Research.

While many people live independently later in life, planning for potential care costs could provide you with more options should you need support. Read about some of the ways you might make care part of your long-term financial plan, such as using assets to create a regular income or considering property wealth.

The US struck trade deals with several countries in July 2025, leading to markets rising and putting an end to some of the uncertainty that had plagued investors for months. Find out what else may have affected your investments recently.

There’s a certain comfort in holding cash savings. However, looking at a wider range of options and investments could help you see higher returns. Find out why.

More than half of pension holders don’t know how they can access their savings when they retire. Find out more about annuities, flexi-access drawdown, and withdrawing lump sums to understand which option could be right for you.

Life is often unexpected, and your financial plan should be updated to reflect changes to your circumstances or goals to ensure it continues to reflect your needs. Read about four reasons why you might want to schedule an extra financial review.

The Autumn Budget is still weeks away, but there’s plenty of speculation about what will be included in the news. While it can feel tempting to respond to attention-grabbing headlines, it might lead to decisions that aren’t right for you or don’t align with your long-term financial plan.

Many people in the UK need to pay for at least a portion of their later-life care if it’s required. So, if you haven’t already considered potential care costs as part of your long-term plan, find out how much it could be and why it’s important to factor in.

If you invest or own a company, you might receive dividends. They could be a useful way to boost your income, but they may also increase your tax liability. Find out what you need to know about Dividend Tax and how you might reduce a potential bill.

Using AI or taking a DIY approach to writing your will could mean your assets aren’t distributed in a way that aligns with your wishes. Discover some of the key reasons why working with a solicitor could be valuable, from minimising mistakes to reflecting your financial plan.

The “normal minimum pension age” is rising from 55 to 57 in April 2028. It could mean you’re unable to access your pension savings on your planned retirement date. Find out what you need to know and the steps you could take to keep your retirement plan on track.

Anticipating future events that you’re looking forward to has been shown to reduce stress and boost your wellbeing. From your next holiday to long-term lifestyle changes you want to achieve, a financial plan could help you prepare for and feel excited about your goals.

While the effect of trade uncertainty on investment markets eased in June, tensions in the Middle East worsened and led to volatility. Find out what else may have affected your investment portfolio recently.

Many people want to achieve “financial freedom”, but it can mean different things to each person and is influenced by other lifestyle goals. So, defining what it means for you could help you create a tailored financial plan that turns it into a reality.

An influential think tank has suggested that the Labour government should increase basic-rate of Income Tax to avoid excessive borrowing. Discover why that hasn’t happened for 50 years, and how such a move could affect you.

While many regional markets recovered some of the losses they experienced in April in May 2025, uncertainty may still be affecting the performance of your investments. Read about some of the key factors that influenced the investment market recently.

Gifting from your surplus income is an often-overlooked estate planning option that could help reduce the amount of Inheritance Tax your family pays on your death.

A Junior ISA (JISA) can provide an effective way to build a nest egg for your child. One important question for parents to consider is whether to save or invest using a JISA. Find out what you need to know about Cash and Stocks and Shares JISAs, and read questions that could help you decide which option is right for your needs.

Instead of worrying about economic slowdown, it may be worth taking steps to protect yourself. Read to discover four ways to recession-proof your retirement.

Once described as the “eighth wonder of the world”, compounding could be key to building wealth and reaching your lifestyle goals. However, if you don’t understand how it works, it might be a missed opportunity or even harm your finances. Read this insightful guide to find out why you need to know what compounding is.

Experts previously expected mortgage interest rates would fall this year. Yet, trade tariffs imposed by the US could lead to inflation rising and, potentially, interest rates increasing. Find out why and what it could mean for your mortgage.

Did you know the interest your savings earn could be taxed? As tax thresholds are frozen and interest rates are rising, more savers are set to be hit by an unexpected tax bill. Find out when your savings could be taxed and how you might reduce your liability.

Creating an estate plan can be difficult in any circumstances, but it might be particularly challenging if you have a young family member to consider. If you do, naming a guardian in your will and using a trust to pass on assets to them could be valuable.

When looking at investments, you may have heard the term “diversification”. It’s often an important part of an investment strategy, so if you’re unsure what it means or how it works in practice, read on as we explain what you need to know.

As tariffs continued to cause market uncertainty in April 2025, your investments may have experienced volatility. Find out what happened and other factors that may have affected your portfolio.

Several types of financial protection might provide a valuable safety net for you and your family if you experience an unexpected event. Read about the key options you might want to weigh up that could offer you peace of mind.

If you’re worried about what the future holds for your finances, financial planning and cashflow modelling could help you answer “what if?” questions. This useful guide explains how it works and why it could boost your long-term confidence.

Around 1 in 5 people in the UK fell victim to a scam in 2024. AI technology means it could be easier than ever for fraudsters to lull you into a false sense of security. Read about some of the techniques scammers could use to part you from your money.

You might associate a financial plan with being more frugal. Yet, there are times when spending more could make sense, especially if it supports your goals and wellbeing. Find out why your financial plan could encourage you to increase your outgoings.

Global uncertainty means your investments and the wider market may be experiencing more volatility than usual. While it might be difficult to do so, remaining calm and focusing on your investment strategy is often a long-term approach that makes financial sense.

A survey suggests just 8% of people have registered a Lasting Power of Attorney. For some, it means decisions, like being discharged from the hospital, are delayed because there isn’t someone to act on their behalf. If you haven’t named an attorney, find out how it could improve your security.

The fear of running out of money in retirement might mean you hold back plans and can’t fully enjoy this stage of your life. Read about five strategies that you might use as part of your retirement plan to reduce the risk of spending too much too soon and achieve peace of mind.

US tariffs and growing uncertainty in Ukraine led to volatility in investment markets in March 2025. Find out what else may have affected the performance of your investments.

The chancellor has delivered the government’s Spring Statement. Here’s a useful summary of the key measures Rachel Reeves announced in her speech.

Cryptocurrency accounted for more than 40% of all investment scams reported in 2023. So, if you’re thinking of learning more about the asset, it’s important to be cautious and aware of the potential signs of a scam.

The messy dispute over who will retain control of Rupert Murdoch’s media empire when he passes away has been grabbing headlines. While you might not be passing on assets that rival Murdoch’s, conflicts can still arise and being proactive might help you avoid them.

The average Brit takes 10 months to choose life insurance. Yet, it could leave their family exposed to financial hardship if the worst should happen. Discover why you should make reviewing life insurance options a priority.

While headlines painted a gloomy picture of market conditions due to trade tariffs and geopolitical uncertainty, there were highs for investment markets in February. Discover some of the factors that may have affected the performance of your investments.

A survey suggests that over-50s are consistently overlooking potential financial shocks when creating a retirement plan. While you might feel financially secure as you near the milestone, there are still risks that could derail your long-term financial security.

Even if you feel comfortable managing your finances, sometimes the mental load of doing so could mean you don’t enjoy the things that are important to you. Working with a financial planner could help put your mind at ease.

The current tax year will end on 5 April 2025. When the new tax year begins, many allowances will reset, so you might want to check if you could benefit from using these seven to make your finances more efficient and reduce your overall tax bill in 2024/25.

Around 12% of UK adults have invested in cryptoassets, according to the Financial Conduct Authority. Understanding what the term means, and the risks associated with investing in these types of assets could be valuable

Being part of a crowd can be comforting. However, following trends when you’re investing could lead to decisions that aren’t right for your goals and circumstances. Find out why standing out could be a good thing.

If the value of your estate is more than £2 million when you pass away, the threshold for paying Inheritance Tax (IHT) could be lower than you think. It might leave your loved ones with a larger tax bill than you expect. Find out what you need to know about IHT thresholds.

Around half of business owners aren’t regularly contributing to a pension. While you might plan to use your business to fund your later years, a pension could still be a good idea and provide you with greater flexibility when you’re ready to retire.

The State Pension is often an important part of retirement plans as it provide a reliable income. Discover how you can ensure you’ll receive the full new State Pension, whether you’re retiring this year or the milestone is still years away.

Concerns around potential trade wars following President Trump’s inauguration weighed on investment markets in January 2025. Yet, there was positive news for investors too. Find out what factors may have affected the performance of your investments.