Financial empowerment for retirement control
Nearly 4 in 10 people in the UK are not on track for even a basic retirement lifestyle Understanding retirement income targets is key to building financial resilience Personal pensions offer flexibility, tax relief and control – ideal for employed and self-employed people. Building financial empowerment is all about the confidence that comes from knowing […]
Joint, dual, individual: understanding your life insurance options
40% of life insurance policies in the UK are joint rather than individual Joint life insurance policies can prove problematic when a relationship breaks down Dual life cover offers separate, flexible protection for both partners You’ve opened a joint bank account. You’ve signed up for a joint mortgage. So, a joint life insurance policy might […]
In the News – Home Finance
A dressing room can boost your home’s value by up to £40,000 Over 65’s hold £2.9trn in mortgage-free property wealth in the UK House purchases now take 124 days on average – 41% longer than expected Dressing rooms – the new must-have Once seen as a luxury, dressing rooms are gaining popularity among everyday homeowners […]
Why ‘keep calm and carry on’ pays off for investors
Trying to time the market often leads to missed opportunities A well-diversified portfolio helps wealthier short-term volatility Staying invested long term is key to building lasting wealth April’s surprise tariffs announced by Donald Trump on ‘Liberation Day’ unsettled global markets and caused a sharp sell off from panicked investors. Trump announced a 90-day pause of […]
Home insurance premiums and claims increase
UK combined home insurance premiums rose 8.5% to an average of £231 according to recent data Material shortages, labour expenses and inflation rates have driving up repair and rebuild costs Make sure you don’t invalidate your insurance by leaving a spare key where it can be easily found Extreme weather conditions. Rising construction costs. Higher […]
In the News – Money
UK Q1 dividends fell 4.6% but beat expectations The headline total paid out to shareholders in Q1 was £14bn UK holidaymakers are spending significantly more this year Holiday spending soars Planning to jet away on a summer holiday? If so, you’re in good company – 83% of UK adults1 are planning holidays this year. Interestingly, […]
Bank of Mum and Dad – worth their weight in gold
Over half of fist-time buyers relied on family financial help in 2024 to get a foot on the ladder BoMaD support averaged £55,572 per buyer across 173,500 transactions Falling mortgage rates may reduce reliance on family, but not eliminate it altogether More than half of first-time buyers relied on family to get on the property […]
How the ‘great wealth transfer’ impacts you
Baby boomers hold over half of the UK wealth and should start legacy planning now Gen X can benefit from early financial advice to simplify future decisions and manage inherited wealth Millennials are motivated to build wealth and should start planning early to prepare for what’s ahead The UK’s ‘great wealth transfer’ will see an […]
Engaging with your pension – knowledge gaps revealed
Most UK adults lack essential knowledge about their pensions and how they’re invested A significant number don’t know their State Pension entitlement or how it’s calculated Many want to consolidate pensions but don’t know how to start New research1 has shone a light on the extent of pension knowledge gaps among UK adults. While 53% […]
Summer housing market update – records, challenges and changing trends
Average asking prices hit record highs, but growth is slowing, as analysts suggest we’re in a buyers market Moving costs have risen sharply across the UK due to changes in tax and associated fees First-time buyers see improved affordability supported by flexible mortgage products As summer begins, the housing and mortgage markets are experiencing a […]