So farewell then inheritance tax? Not so fast

Is Downing Street really planning to abolish inheritance tax? Source: HMRC Shortly before the so-called ‘silly season’ (Parliament’s summer recess) got underway, several newspapers carried stories that Downing Street was considering the abolition of inheritance tax (IHT) in an attempt … Continue reading

Deferring your state pension

You do not have to take your state pension at state pension age. The current state pension age (SPA) – the earliest age at which you can draw your state pension – is 66. It will be gradually increased to … Continue reading

Behind the numbers on income tax

New income tax statistics from HMRC appear to be good news, but the numbers are not what they seem. Taxpayer’s marginal rate Basic Rate Higher Rate Additional Rate 2020/21 Average tax rate 9.5% 21.8% 38.3% 2023/24 Average tax rate 9.9% … Continue reading

The reality of retirement affordability

New research reveals that one in three people could face hardship in retirement. Source: Frontier Economics based on Scottish Widows survey data The “cost of living crisis” is a phrase that is hard to avoid in any media. High inflation, … Continue reading

Who is choosing your pension investments?

The Chancellor has announced a new initiative to stimulate higher risk pension investment, shifting focus to UK private companies. “British pensioners should benefit from British business success. By unlocking investment, we will boost retirement income by over £1,000 a year … Continue reading