New research shows that, while Britons can picture their dream retirement, only one in six are confident they can afford it and more than three quarters underestimate the true cost. Britons, it appears, are surprisingly optimistic about the retirement they want… but far less confident about their ability to pay for it, new research from […]

  While there are lots of good reasons to consolidate any smaller pension pots you may have, there can be drawbacks too. So, what are the pitfalls to watch out for? Did you know that the average UK worker holds about nine to 11 jobs and works for around six different employers in their lifetime: […]

Insurance and financial services provider NFU have warned that new rules around IHT coming in next April could see some families facing a 91% charge on pension funds they inherit due to a triple tax hit. This is because, for the first time, unused pensions will be encompassed in Inheritance Tax (IHT) calculations. Inheritance tax […]

The gap between the best and worst performing pension schemes could cost a saver with a £10,000 pot over £5,000 across just five years. But reforms in the pipeline could give savers the transparency they need to switch to schemes on top of their game. A timetable to implement the biggest pension reforms in a generation has been […]

The inclusion of unused defined contribution pensions in estates for inheritance tax purposes as from next April is having a major impact on retirement planning, new research shows… with many people turning to gifting to reduce their inheritance tax liability. Before the change was announced, many people had planned to spend down their other assets […]

Big changes on Inheritance Tax are looming. But, according to new research, the biggest concern right now for over-55s when it comes to passing on their wealth is paying for their care in later life. Landmark legislation now coming down the road means that long-standing reliefs on Inheritance Tax (IHT) are disappearing. Not least, unused […]

  Billions in pension surpluses “to be unlocked” – but what are the upsides and downsides for savers? June saw new proposals from the Government setting out how tens of billions of pounds in DB pension scheme surpluses could be released. But – if the plans do go ahead – how well will savers be protected? […]

Big shifts in the pensions landscape are underway following the Pension Schemes Act – and one possible outcome is the emergence of “megafunds” which could deliver stronger outcomes for savers and a boost to the broader UK economy. New research from Standard Life, in partnership with WPI Economics, published in the wake of the Pension Schemes Act, shows that […]

Startling new research shows that the number of people who believe they will never be able to afford to retire is soaring, thanks to ongoing concerns around the rising cost of living relative to earnings. Cost of living pressures are leading to many employees failing to put enough into their savings. Four out of five […]

  Collective Defined Contribution (CDC) pensions could be available as soon as 2027, and a new paper from Aon suggests CDC could deliver around 30% better retirement outcomes than traditional DC lifestyling into an annuity, and up to 50% higher pension than an inflation-linked annuity when used at retirement. CDC schemes effectively act as a […]