Latest articles by Laura Miller
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Which house price index is the best?There are at least five indices measuring house prices, but which house price index is the best?
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Are you missing out on Pension Credit? How to claim the benefit worth £4,500 a yearHundreds of thousands of eligible households are still failing to apply for Pension Credit. We explain who qualifies for the benefit and how to apply.
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Collapsed property sales costing thousands – how to avoid itMore than half of property sales fail, leaving buyers and sellers with a total average bill of £3,000. But there are ways to protect your home moving process.
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Has your loved one not made a will? How to protect your inheritanceA recent High Court fight over a £1 million inheritance offers a warning to those who have loved ones without a will. We look at how to legally guard against a loss of mental capacity.
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How a financial plan could leave you up to £194,000 better offBrits report being poorer over the past year, according to average estimates, but having a financial plan can boost your wealth whatever your income.
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Retirees cash out 100,000 more pensions in full – should you take the money?Pensioners are increasingly pulling all of their retirement funds out in one go, facing the risk of high tax bills and running out of money in later life. We look at what to consider before taking the money.
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How to find the best stocks and shares ISAWith 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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London is the UK's tax error hotspot – common mistakes and how to avoid a fineMore than 3,000 Londoners admitted they paid the wrong tax last year, the highest across the UK. We look at the typical pitfalls when it comes to paying tax and avoiding fines.
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What makes you wealthy in the UK?What the government perceives as ‘wealthy’ counts when it comes to tax. We break down the figures and explain 10 ways to protect yourself from the taxman
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Inheritance tax scam warning – how to protect your pension pots ahead of 2027 rule changePensions will be included in estates for inheritance tax purposes from 2027 – but experts warn that savers should be wary of too-good-to-be-true avoidance schemes
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Top places to retire in the UK in 2026We list the top places in the UK to retire in 2026, based on factors such as access to doctors, house prices and proximity to green spaces.
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Pension inheritance tax paperwork nightmare – how to prepare to avoid penaltiesPensions will be included in inheritance tax calculations from April 2027 and your executors will have to shoulder the burden of finding all your unused pots. Here’s what you need to know.
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Gender pensions gap starts at age 28 – how women can boost their pensionWomen’s pension contributions typically start reducing at age 28, as life events like starting a family throw them off track, leaving them, on average, with between half and two thirds of the pension of a man. We look at five ways women can boost their pension.
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FCA car finance compensation: Legal challenges could stall redress schemeThe City watchdog has urged lenders to prepare for a scenario where there is no redress scheme for consumers after legal challenges were launched.
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What frozen tax thresholds would be now – including an allowance which hasn’t risen in 45 yearsCertain tax allowances would be almost four times higher if they had kept pace with inflation
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Can you afford to live to 100? How to make your pension lastRecord numbers of people are living to age 100. We explain how to make your pension last for a longer retirement.
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The £1m inheritance tax-free allowance illusion – why many couples don’t get itThe maximum amount a couple can pass on free of inheritance tax is £1 million in assets – but the reality is often very different. We look at why the £1 million inheritance tax-free allowance might be less than you think.
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Reinvesting dividends: why it could leave you £30,000 better offDividend paying companies in your portfolio can provide a reliable income but potentially millions of investors are missing out on thousands of pounds by not reinvesting dividends
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Last-minute pension investing could cost Brits £24,000 – what’s a better way to save?Savers are delaying pension contributions – a habit that could significantly impact their long-term returns, according to new analysis.
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Pension Schemes Bill: what’s changing and what it means for your retirementThe government’s latest reforms to pensions are designed to make saving for retirement easier and provide better value for money – but will they leave you better off?
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The top funds to buy according to DIY pension investorsPension investors in both the saving and spending stage are turning to cautious funds to ride out the recent volatility in markets. We look at their best funds to buy right now.
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What is the 67% inheritance tax trap on pensions – and can you avoid it?Your loved ones could find themselves paying an effective tax rate of 67% once pensions are brought into the inheritance tax net from April 2027. The concern has sparked more – and higher – withdrawals from pensions.
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What is a default pension fund and should you switch?Most employees save into a workplace pension scheme, but where is the money invested? We look at how default funds work and whether there is ever a case for switching.
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What is the 25% pension tax-free cash - and when should you take it?The 25% tax-free pension lump sum is probably Britain’s most generous tax perk. But being able to take a quarter of your total retirement fund free of tax all in one go comes with some risks. We weigh up your options.
