State pension deferral – a good idea?
If you were born shortly after 6th January 1954, you would be entitled to your state pension from 6th May...
Tax Year End Retirement Income Planning
At this time of year, we are bombarded by reminders that the end of the tax year is coming. You...
What Does Retirement Actually Mean?
I’ve always been interested in the origin of words and phrases. “Going pear-shaped” was originally a description of a poorly...
Why we don’t (always) like annuities
"It's not fair" is a phrase you will know all too well if you have children or grandchildren! But, whilst...
Are you Driving a Gas Guzzler Down the Wrong Side of the Motorway?
Another title for this blog post could be, why the 4% rule is unlikely to be right for you in...
Cognitive decline increases the need for a Financial Planner
There are many economic milestones in life – buying your home, paying off your mortgage, leaving employment – which take...
Are we spending more than everyone else?
Clients often ask Financial Planners whether they are spending more, or less, than everyone else. For those who are interested...
Time is running out to top-up your State Pension
Time is running out to top-up your State Pension before a price rise being introduced in April. Paying voluntary National...
How to make your retirement less taxing
One of the most powerful ways to boost your income and capital in retirement, and to increase the amounts you...
Death week informs retirement income planning
Last week was aptly named “death, divorce and debt” week. Martin covered this phenomena in detail last Friday in another...