A recent article by the Telegraph explains that 80% of higher-rate taxpayers do not claim back all of their pension tax relief. It also reveals that more than half of those earning more than £150,000 do not claim their full relief. When you consider that the additional relief could be as high as 25% of … Continued

Recent research by pension provider Canada Life reveals that nearly three-quarters of people (70%) said they have done nothing about Inheritance Tax (IHT) or a possible liability to it. What may come as a surprise though, is that 40% of people said they were worried about their estate having to pay the tax. As no … Continued

As the festive season approaches, there is a host of Christmas films to enjoy with your children. From Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol to Home Alone, there are plenty of festive blockbusters to choose from. Another regular at the festive season is The Grinch, starring Hollywood’s Jim Carrey. You may already know that the film … Continued

Sustainability has become a key topic for governments, businesses and communities around the world. If you want to reduce the impact your lifestyle has on the environment, it can be difficult to know where to start. Our latest guide looks at 10 changes you can make to your life to reduce your carbon footprint, limit … Continued

“Employment is up, investment is growing, public services are improving, the public finances are stabilising, and wages are rising.” This is the backdrop against which Rishi Sunak presented the 2021 Autumn Budget. Promising “a stronger economy for the British people”, the chancellor outlined his taxation and spending proposals. Here’s a summary of the key points … Continued

There’s no denying it, the days are getting shorter, and the temperature is falling – autumn has arrived and winter will be with us soon enough. So, now is the ideal time to ensure your house is fit for all that winter can throw at it, and to make sure you’ll be kept warm and … Continued

Historically, stock markets have shown a long-term upward trend. The 2019 Barclays Equity Gilt Study reveals that £100 invested in cash in 1899 would be worth just over £20,000 in 2019. While that may sound impressive, it also shows that if you had put the money into stocks and shares it would have been worth … Continued

A common perception of pensions is that they are complicated and difficult to understand. It’s hardly surprising when you consider that financial planners must pass gruelling examinations to advise clients on their retirement funds. Furthermore, they then have to undergo continuous professional development to demonstrate they have kept up to date with any changes in … Continued

The recent finalisation of Bill and Melinda Gates’ divorce after 27 years of marriage reminds us of a curious fact revealed by FTAdviser recently. It explains that while divorce is on the decline overall, within older generations it’s on the increase. According to the article, while the most recent 10-year data shows divorces fell by … Continued

In 1953, De Beers ran a hugely successful marketing campaign to promote its diamond engagement ring. It used the strapline “how else could a month’s salary last a lifetime?” The success of the campaign relied on the biases we have as humans, which are used to make decisions. In the case of the advert, it … Continued