Covering the cost of the ageing process

financial advice blackpool

Growing up is optional but growing older is mandatory for as long as you live.  Ageing disgracefully can be a lot of fun but it’s important to realise that your post-work years can now stretch on for decades.  You need to think about what the ageing process could mean for you in practical terms, especially […]

When Can You Retire?

A smiling woman looking forward to retirement

Over recent years, the state pension has made the headlines fairly regularly. One of the reasons for this is the increase in state pension age. Now, the government is proposing to increase the age at which people can access private pensions. Depending on your position, this may be a big deal or a moot point. […]

How To Avoid Being A Poverty-Stricken Pensioner

pensioner worried about money

If you’re on a defined-benefits (“final-salary”) pension, then you’re probably either already drawing it or in the public sector. For most people, defined-contributions (money purchase) pensions are the only option available now. That means the onus is on you to maximize your returns so that they literally fund the rest of your life. Here are […]

Making the Most of Your ISA Allowance

financial advice blackpool

The COVID19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of having both cash savings and insurance (for all the complaints about the latter).  At the same time, it’s still important to prepare for the future, especially your retirement.  Your ISA allowance could be used for both purposes, but that may not be a good idea.  Here’s what […]

COVID-19 affects retirement plans for over three million

pension advice blackpool

Recent research shows 1 in 10 UK adults with a pension (and not yet retired) have reduced or stopped pension contributions because of Covid-19. 1 in 10 UK adults have reduced or stopped pension contributions 1 in 4 workers are worried about paying for everyday essentials 1 in 5 workers are worried about keeping up […]

COVID-19 affects retirement plans for over three million

pension advice blackpool

Recent research shows 1 in 10 UK adults with a pension (and not yet retired) have reduced or stopped pension contributions because of Covid-19. 1 in 10 UK adults have reduced or stopped pension contributions 1 in 4 workers are worried about paying for everyday essentials 1 in 5 workers are worried about keeping up […]

2020 The story so far

Little did we know, as we entered a new decade, what was in store for the global economy in 2020. Around the globe, the Covid-19 pandemic has inflicted a huge human cost. The response, and the measures to reduce the spread of the virus have inevitably had a significant impact on global economic activity. A […]

How Personal Pensions Work

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” global_colors_info=”{}”] The basic idea behind personal pensions is fairly simple.  You pay in money throughout your working life.  This is invested by your pension provider (or by you directly in […]

Pension planning for the self-employed

pension advice blackpool

There are 4.8 million self-employed people in the UK and only a third have any kind of pension arrangement. A shocking statistic when you consider that State support is shrinking and we’re all living longer. Saving for a pension when you’re self-employed is not as straightforward as it is for an employed person, who might […]

What the budget means for personal finance

personal finance blackpool

The budget was expected.  The emergency meeting of the Monetary Policy Committee of the Bank of England, by definition, was not.  Both had meaningful implications for personal finance. Interest rates were cut from 0.75% to 0.25% (and have since been cut again to 0.1%) The initial cut sent interest rates back to where they were […]