Latest articles by Laura Miller
-
Clinging to cash over investing fears? You could miss out on thousands of pounds
Overly-cautious savers could get stuck with low returns now the Bank of England has cut interest rates again amid predictions the base rate has further to fall
-
Most Brits unaware onshore bonds can help beat inheritance tax – here’s how
A little-known perk of certain types of bonds can let your loved ones off the hook when it comes to inheritance tax – but two-thirds of people have never heard of them
-
Inheritance tax mistake costs families £350m – are you making this simple error?
Life insurance can provide your loved ones with a vital safety net if the worst happens. But to avoid inheritance tax on the pay out, you must write the policy in trust
-
Should you give your children’s inheritance to charity?
Fears of misspent money, bad investments and creating spoiled offspring are causing high-net-worth parents to leave their money to causes other than their own children.
-
Property down valuations wipe millions off stagnant housing market
Some properties have had as much as £1m knocked off their value as assessors are accused of being ‘overly cautious’ while property prices stall
-
Should you defer your state pension and stay in work?
You could boost your state pension by hundreds or thousands of pounds by deferring it if you don’t need the income right now. We look at how it works, and the pros and cons
-
Inheritance tax investigations catch out 1200 more families in HMRC crackdown
Where there is a suspicion inheritance tax has been underpaid, HMRC has extensive powers to check the deceased individual’s financial affairs and chase what is owed. Will you pay more?
-
Best trading platforms for UK investors ranked – how do they compare?
Trading platforms have been assessed for charges, investment range on offer and quality of service, with the best for each type of customer ranked
-
State pension gender gap ‘almost closed’ for new retirees – but private gap widens
The state pension amounts for men and women are on course “to be equal very shortly”, says Department for Work and Pensions
-
State pension boost could help millions – how to plug gaps in your National Insurance record
More than 2 million people are not receiving the full amount of state pension and potentially could increase how much they get
-
Council tax bills in worst hit areas set to rise by £500 in the next four years
Branded the ‘ultimate stealth tax’, the council tax burden is increasing across the country, with some areas potentially having to find hundreds of pounds more a year to pay the bill
-
Half of Baby Boomers to fall short of retirement goals – here’s 3 ways to get back on track
Just 51% of soon-to-be retirees are on track for the later lifestyle they want, according to new research, with younger cohorts even less likely to be retirement-ready
-
Top ‘tin hat’ stocks for cautious investors
Professional investors are backing so-called ‘tin hat’ stocks – companies that should do well against even the most volatile macro economic backdrop. We look at four of their favourites
-
Thousands more pay inheritance tax with figures expected to double before decade’s end
Number of deaths triggering inheritance tax rose 13% in a year with more increases predicted as Rachel Reeves’ pension reforms apply from April 2027
-
High earners’ four money pain points – and the one simple way to beat them
Above average earners are juggling high levels of debt so a sudden hit to their income could mean serious financial hardship. But there is a cost-effective solution.
-
Is the 4% pension rule dead? Why the 6% rule could replace it
‘Pensions are for spending’ is the new mantra now inheritance tax will apply to them from April 2027. In exclusive calculations we show how much more you can take from your pension to wind it down completely by age 90.
-
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
-
Record £4,500 pay rise for London nannies – what does a nanny cost where you are?
Features Hiring a nanny can be a lifeline for busy parents but the cost can weigh on the family finances. The price has just jumped all around the country, especially in London.
Features -
More than half of over 65s live alone – here’s how to prepare for a solo retirement
Spending your mature years solo can mean more time to do the things you’ve always wanted, if you’ve planned ahead for the extra costs of single living
-
Pension inheritance tax paperwork nightmare – how to prepare to avoid penalties
Pensions will be included in inheritance tax calculations from April 2027 and in a shock move, your executors will have to shoulder the burden of finding all your unused pots
-
Always late to the ISA party? It may have cost you £123k over the past 20 years
Delaying investing in stocks and shares ISAs until the end of the tax year has been a surefire way to lose money over the last two decades, according to new analysis
-
Beware inheritance tax gifting rules – 220 families left with shock bills after error
Families can give away assets during their lifetime to reduce inheritance tax liabilities, but failing to meet gifting rules could trigger unexpected inheritance tax bills
-
Fresh inheritance tax blow for business owners and farmers – could you need a new will?
Draft legislation has revealed a hoped for loophole in business and agricultural property reliefs has been closed tight
-
Inheritance tax take rises again as loved ones pay £134 million more
With asset prices at or near all-time highs and tax thresholds frozen, more families are being pulled into paying inheritance tax
