Achieving an early, comfortable retirement requires careful planning
For many people, retiring at 50 sounds like the ultimate financial goal. Instead of waiting until their 60s, they could have decades to travel, pursue hobbies or simply enjoy a slower pace of life. The catch is that your money may need to support you for several decades, making careful planning particularly important.
How pensions could help parents avoid the £100k childcare cliff edge
Half of people are unaware that pension contributions can reduce adjusted net income
Pensions are designed to help fund retirement, but they can also play a valuable role in wider financial planning. This could be particularly important for parents balancing the high cost of childcare, with holiday clubs alone costing families an average of £179 per week.
Bringing your pensions together
A long-awaited way to view your pension savings in one place is finally taking shape
For years, savers have been promised a simpler way to track their pension savings. The concept is straightforward: instead of searching through old paperwork, logging in to multiple providers or trying to remember where a former employer’s pension scheme is held, you could eventually see your pension information securely in one place.
Could looking after grandchildren add to your State Pension?
A little-known National Insurance credit could reward you and give you a financial boost
Providing regular childcare for grandchildren could do more than help your family. It could also help protect your State Pension entitlement through National Insurance credits. Grandparents who spend their time caring for grandchildren may be able to claim Specified Adult Childcare credits.
Upcoming changes raise concerns among savers
More than one in five adults report a decline in pension confidence
The upcoming changes to how pensions are treated for Inheritance Tax (IHT) from 6 April 2027 appear to be having a wider impact on pension confidence, despite most adults being unaffected. New research finds that 49% of adults say their confidence is unchanged, while 22% say it has fallen since the rules were announced in the 2024 Autumn Budget[1].