When you’re building a business, you might have little time to think about other aspects of your long-term finances. However, overlooking your pension in favour of your business could leave you in a difficult situation when you want to retire. According to a survey carried out by think tank the Social Market Foundation  (12 August 2025), just 20% of self-employed workers save into a pension, compared to 78% of employees. While not all self-employed workers will be business ow

From introducing a “mansion tax” to creating a separate tax for property income, the November 2025 Budget included several announcements that could affect landlords. Here’s what you need to know about four key changes.  1. Property income will be taxed at a higher rate from April 2026 The major change announced in the Budget that will affect landlords is that, from April 2026, property income will be taxed separately from other sources.  Income derived from property will be t

After much speculation that the chancellor would announce an additional property tax, the new “mansion tax” was unveiled during the November 2025 Budget. Read on to find out whether it’ll affect you, and how the new tax works. The mansion tax will apply to properties worth more than £2 million in England Officially called the High Value Council Tax Surcharge, the mansion tax will be applied to most properties that are valued at more than £2 million from 2028. Social housing w

In the Autumn Budget 2025, the chancellor announced that Inheritance Tax (IHT) thresholds would remain frozen for a further year, until 2031.  Upcoming changes will also see unused pensions included in an estate for IHT purposes for the first time from April 2027.  These measures could see estates facing a larger IHT liability, or coming into the scope of IHT when they may previously have been exempt. Research has suggested that families concerned about being caught in the IH

Love is in the air with Valentine’s Day just around the corner. Amid planning romantic gestures, thinking about combining your financial plan with your partner’s could be valuable. Talking about finances might seem too practical for a day that’s about celebrating love. Yet, it could support your relationship. Here are two reasons why you might want to create a single financial plan with your partner. 1. Work towards shared goals If you’re planning to spend the future with som

After a year filled with uncertainty and rising trade tensions, markets were calmer in December 2025. Find out what may have affected the performance of your portfolio at the end of the year.  Market volatility eased in December 2025 Markets were downbeat at the start of the month. Most European markets were in the red on 1 December, including Germany’s DAX (-1.2%), France’s CAC 40 (-0.55%), and the UK’s FTSE 100 (-0.13%).  The Bank of England (BoE) carried out stress tests o

There is perhaps no better time than the festive season to sit down and enjoy a favourite board game with your loved ones.  But as many families know, a friendly game can quickly get competitive. Sometimes this even leads to heated arguments over who gets to be the banker or who suddenly “forgot” to follow the rules. If this sounds familiar, it might be worth reframing some of the more heated moments as opportunities for learning. Many of the world’s most popular board games

How your pension is invested will affect its value and the income it will provide you later in life. If you’ve put off reviewing your pension fund, find out why it could be a worthwhile task.  While most pension providers offer savers plenty of fund options to choose from, many leave their money in the default option. Indeed, according to PensionBee  (19.02.2025), more than 90% of pension savers remain in the default fund.  When you start contributing to a pension, you will u

When you’re making financial decisions, it can feel like you’re faced with indecipherable numbers. You might know how much you have in your bank account or pension, but what does the figure mean for your future? Cashflow planning can turn the numbers into possibilities.  If you feel uncertain about your future after looking at numbers on a spreadsheet, read on to see how cashflow planning could help.  Not understanding your finances could place your future at risk It’s easy t

Amid mingling with friends and celebrating with family during the festive period, you might have quieter days to tackle some financial tasks as you enjoy a mince pie. Ticking off these jobs now could help ensure you have everything ready for 2026.  1. Go through your bank statements and Direct Debits  Go through your bank statements and keep an eye out for recurring payments for services that you no longer need. From an old gym membership to a streaming subscription, it’s eas

In the November 2025 Budget, the chancellor revealed new Cash ISA rules that will affect under-65s. The change could affect your savings and wider financial plan. ISAs provide a tax-efficient way to save and invest, making them an essential part of many financial plans. In 2025/26, you can add up to £20,000 to ISAs and split the money across savings and investments however you wish. This will change from April 2027. The Cash ISA limit will fall to £12,000 for most savers  The

While phasing into retirement can offer you greater flexibility, it may make your finances more complex. Read on to find out more about five key considerations. 1. Calculate if you’ll need to supplement your income  While you might still earn a salary as you phase into retirement, if you’ve chosen to reduce your working hours or switch roles, it might not be enough to maintain your lifestyle.  If this is the case, you may opt to supplement your salary with income from other s

One of the biggest factors affecting investment markets in November 2025 was concern about an AI bubble. Despite this, there were still market highs recorded during the month. Remember to consider your risk profile when you invest and review your portfolio’s performance with a long-term outlook.  AI concerns led to volatility throughout November 2025 With UK chancellor Rachel Reeves set to deliver a fiscal Budget at the end of the month, speculation led to market volatility o

The arrival of the colder months means preparing for Christmas, thinking about your new year resolutions, and planning to battle illnesses. Whether you're ill for a few days or you’re diagnosed with a long-term condition, needing to take time off work can have a financial impact. While you can’t predict when you’ll fall ill, there are some steps you can take to limit the effect it has on your finances.  A September 2025 report from CIPD  found that the average UK employee too

According to a September 2025 Financial Planning Today  article, 39% of people say a guaranteed income is their main priority in retirement. Knowing how much income you’ll receive from certain sources can provide the certainty you need to enjoy retirement with greater confidence. There are several ways you might create a guaranteed income in retirement – here are three common options.  1. State Pension While the State Pension often isn’t enough to cover all of your retirement

For some investors, particularly higher-rate taxpayers, Venture Capital Trusts (VCTs) could offer an attractive and tax-efficient investment prospect. Read on to discover the basics you need to know if you’re thinking about making VCTs part of your financial plan.  VCTs are listed companies that invest in UK businesses. These are typically smaller and younger firms than those you might access through other funds. They could include a range of businesses from technology start-

An estate plan sets out how you’d like your assets to be managed and distributed during your life and when you pass away. It often involves thinking about difficult topics, such as your funeral preferences or who you’d like to receive heirloom possessions.  Once you’ve created an estate plan, it can be tempting to put it to the back of your mind.  However, both you and your loved ones could benefit from discussing the contents of your estate plan. While these topics can be ch

When you start searching for the best ways to build a retirement fund, private pensions might be the first option that comes to mind.  However, they’re not the only way you can prepare for your life after work. An alternative is the Lifetime ISA (LISA) – a government-backed savings account. While you might assume you can only use a LISA to purchase your first home, this isn’t its only purpose.  In fact, according to Financial Planning Today  in September 2025, 45% of LISA sav

October 2025 proved to be a positive month for many investors, with markets reaching record highs. Read on to find out more about what factors may have affected your portfolio’s performance. Remember to take a long-term view when assessing your investments and consider your risk profile when making decisions.  Markets experienced record highs, but investor uncertainty continued to have an effect The month started strongly with the FTSE 100 closing at a record high on 1 Octobe

The State Pension often provides a reliable income in retirement that’s an important part of your overall financial plan. Yet, many people don’t understand how the State Pension works or what they’re entitled to. This useful guide covers the essentials you need to know, from when you can claim the State Pension to how the income it provides will increase each year.