Latest articles by Laura Miller
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Rush to take pension lump sum early hits five year high over inheritance tax fears
Thousands more 55 year olds took billions more from their pensions as soon as they could last year before the retirement pots become subject to inheritance tax from next April. We look at what to consider if you are cashing in.
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The 22-year retirement age gap – does your pension pot fall short of your saving ambitions?
Just 14% of Brits are currently on track to retire at the age they want with their desired income, analysis suggests, with many heading decades off course.
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Government refuses to give families more time to pay inheritance tax on pensions
Calls to double the amount of time families have to pay inheritance tax when pensions are included from next April have been rejected by the government
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FCA car finance compensation: millions of drivers to get around £830 each
Millions of drivers will begin to get payouts within months, under the City watchdog’s redress scheme for mis-sold car finance
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State pension entitlement gaps: Blow as National Insurance credit system delayed until April 2027
A scheme to protect the state pension records of mothers affected by the introduction of the High Income Child Benefit Charge in 2013 has been delayed by a year.
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The elite £2m ISA club – here’s how to join
A £2 million ISA won’t be achievable for everyone – but almost 300 Brits have already reached this goal. How can you join them?
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Can I inherit my partner's ISA? Little-known tax break can boost your allowance by thousands
Inheriting a partner’s ISA is fairly simple and comes with special advantages if you’re married or in a civil partnership – knowing what to do with it, however, isn’t always as straightforward
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Gilt yields have jumped – is now a good time to buy an annuity?
War in the Middle East has sent 10-year gilt yields to the highest level since 2008. With higher gilt yields tending to lead to higher annuity rates, should you buy an annuity?
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Crypto investors sent 100,000 capital gains tax warning letters – do you need to pay tax?
Investors in crypto assets have been sent 40 times more HMRC capital gains tax warnings than stock traders since 2020, a Freedom of Information request found.
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How to find the best stocks and shares ISA
With so much choice it can be hard to work out which stocks and shares ISA is right for you. We explain how to compare providers.
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Millions face savings tax bills – how to shield your money
Millions of Brits could face savings tax this year as their interest earned exceeds the personal savings allowance. Are you at risk?
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Cash ISA vs stocks and shares ISA: which is better for your money?
The debate over low-risk cash ISAs versus higher-returning stocks and shares ISAs overlooks the fact that both have an important role for different goals
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Pension tax relief: what it is and how it can boost your retirement savings
Most Brits don’t know their pension tax relief rate. As the end of the tax year approaches, savers may be missing a valuable opportunity to boost their retirement pot via this valuable perk.
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How to manage higher private school fees
Private school fees have soared by thousands following the addition of VAT, and further increases could lie in store going forward. We explain how to manage the higher costs.
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What are ‘deprivation of assets’ care cost rules? – and how to stick to them
Care costs can average £66,000 a year or more, which can leave little over for an inheritance. But if you give your money away and still need paid-for care, HMRC can demand the cash back. We explain ‘deprivation of assets’ rules when it comes to paying for care.
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Is it still worth paying into a pension in your 60s?
What are the financial benefits of continuing to pay into a pension as you approach retirement age? In an exclusive analysis, we show the reality of pension saving into your 60s.
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How Avios points work: how to collect and spend them
Avios points offer worthwhile rewards for the savvy traveller but the cost of using them is on the rise. We explain how to collect, keep track of, and make the most of your Avios points
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Three simple inheritance tax mistakes could cost your family £100,000s – are you missing out?
About 3,700 more deaths resulted in inheritance tax in 2022-2023, according to the latest data from HMRC. But some families are paying more IHT than they need to because they are not taking advantage of valuable loopholes. We explain how.
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Pensioners ‘running down larger pots’ to avoid inheritance tax as rule change looms
Changes to inheritance tax (IHT) rules for unused pension pots from April 2027 could trigger an ‘exodus of large defined contribution pension pots’, as retirees spend their savings rather than leave their loved ones with an IHT bill.
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Gender pensions gap widens – how women can boost their pension
Women are making do, on average, with just two thirds of the pension of a man, according to new analysis, as time out for caring exacerbates the gender pay gap and further widens the gender pension gap. We look at five ways women can boost their pension.
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Are you missing out on Pension Credit? How to claim the benefit worth £4,300 a year
Thousands of eligible households are still failing to apply for Pension Credit. We explain who qualifies for Pension Credit and how to apply
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Why getting sick will cost you up to £700 a month in pension savings
More people could face a state pension shortfall as the healthy life expectancy age declines to its lowest level for 15 years. Do you have £700 extra a month to cover your sick years?
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Carers facing retirement shortfall - how to boost your pension
A growing pensions gap shows carers retire with significantly less private pension income than the national average
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Pensions vs savings accounts: which is better for building wealth?
Savings accounts with inflation-beating interest rates are a safe place to grow your money, but could you get bigger gains by putting your cash into a pension?
