Latest articles by Laura Miller
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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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.
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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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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.
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Reeves’s capital gains tax changes ‘backfire’ as Treasury receipts fall sharply
Capital gains tax rates were increased in the 2024 Budget but fresh data suggests the policy is failing to boost government coffers. Could it put chancellor Rachel Reeves off a wealth tax?
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House prices rising fastest in areas with highest crime rates – where does your area rank?
Property prices are higher in safer areas but growing more slowly than in places benefiting from gentrification and buy-to-lets
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HMRC suspects the wealthy underpaid £343m in inheritance tax – how to avoid falling foul of the rules
‘Missing’ inheritance tax is expected to soar as the government aims to raise extra £2 billion through rule changes
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What is a trust – and should you use it to avoid inheritance tax?
Trusts are surging in popularity as a way to avoid inheritance tax, according to financial advisers on the frontline of estate planning. We look at what trusts are and if they are right for you.
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Millions of homeowners to see mortgage payments rise
Mortgage holders with deals expiring soon can expect to pay more, according to Bank of England calculations, though the increase is less than previously forecast
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FTSE 100 dividends: where to find the best yields for UK equities
FTSE 100 dividend forecasts have sagged but investors can still find good yields in UK equities with payments expected to reach more than £80 billion in 2025
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The tax thresholds frozen since the 80s – this is what they should be by now
Allowances could be four times higher if they had kept pace with inflation, according to analysis
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Expecting an inheritance? Don’t – only a fifth of Boomers plan to part with their cash
Higher priorities are travel and spending time with loved ones, with even those on the highest household incomes shunning inheritances
