Putting financial plans in place for retirement can often feel overwhelming and navigating the complexities of the pension system can be daunting for many. With further changes to an extremely complicated system recently announced, it’s never been mo…
Becoming a ‘pension millionaire’ might seem like a pipe dream, particularly in view of the cost-of-living pressures many people are facing. But it may be more attainable than some people think when you combine regular and cost-efficient investing with…
Retirement should be a period of relaxation and enjoyment after years of hard work. However, a recent report has revealed a concerning trend in the retirement landscape for Britons. The study conducted by Scottish Widows, a renowned pension provider…
In today’s society, achieving financial security in retirement is a crucial concern for individuals. However, a disheartening disparity persists between women and men when it comes to pension savings. Recent statistics reveal that women’s pensions ar…
Both pensions and property investments can deliver long-term growth – and, when it comes to funding your retirement, both could have an important role to play. Here we weigh up the advantages and limitations of both property (whether buy-to-let or y…
With the end of the 2022/23 tax year almost upon us, time is running out to make the most of your tax-free exemptions and allowances before they disappear forever.There is so much more to pensions than just providing an income when you stop working…
The cost of living crisis is forcing many of us to cut back on important things. In most cases, non-essential expenses such as holidays, takeaways, and nights out are being sacrificed. But for some of those really feeling the pinch, retirement goals a…
Herein lies a tale in which a youthful gentleman of casual bearing has an unsettling encounter with an irascible festive spirit, which in its wisdom enlightens the young fellow with useful and practical pension advice. Sitting comfortably? Then let us beg…
Your pension is a precious nest egg that enables you to look forward to a comfortable retirement. However, it’s hard to ignore media headlines about pension scams, pension fraud, falling stock markets and insolvent employers causing problems for their…
It’s tricky to know how much money you need stashed away to retire and live a lifestyle you’re happy with. While the amount will vary from person to person, we’ve put together some rough estimates, as well as the question you shoul…
The government has confirmed its plan to suspend the ‘triple lock’ for annual state pension increases for a year. A key part of previous budget commitments since its introduction in 2010, the triple lock ensures the UK state pension continues to rise…
As Covid disrupts pension saving for millions of workers, one generation in particular may see its best-laid retirement plans going awry. But are these latest findings just another reminder than we should all be trying harder to save for old age? Ask…
If you have a health condition or certain lifestyle issues, you may be entitled to more money in retirement. Currently around 1 in 5 who buy an annuity manage to get this ‘enhancement’ – but there’s evidence that three times as many people may qualif…
Retirement age? What’s that? These days it’s not about a date but a timescale: you might gradually retire over five, ten or even fifteen years. We are now firmly in the era of phased retirement – and it’s largely thanks to pension freedom. Not only c…
Many Brits still have unrealistic expectations of when they’ll be able to retire – and it’s a worrying sign of how little they think seriously about their pensions. We compare the dreams with the realities and explains how to bring them closer together…
One of the pandemic’s lesser effects is how it has upset many long-term plans. Many Brits have been forced to reassess their retirement choices and perhaps make snap decisions. But if your planned retirement looks suddenly in doubt, what should you d…
The self-employed, home renters and those from ethnic minorities have been identified as most at risk from insufficient pension savings, according to a new report. We take a deeper look at who is more likely to be retirement-ready, and who may need t…
New research shows that over 1 in 3 Brits don’t know how big a pension pot they’ll need, and 1 in 5 don’t even know how much they have. It’s an age-old question (in more ways than one): how much pension do I need to save right now, in order to have e…
Financial independence is a cornerstone of gender equality. Yet a majority of women are letting it slip through their fingers, by not saving enough into their pensions. But why do so many women overlook retirement planning – and what should you be do…
You can normally pay up to £40,000 into a pension each year and receive tax relief on it – this is your annual allowance. But you need to beware of not one but two big risks to your allowance, which could cost you a lot in tax. When you first heard a…
Research reveals that a fifth of Brits still have no pension savings at all, and people near retirement aren’t doing much better. But it’s never too late to benefit from pensions. One in six Britons who are within sight of their retirement still have…
People taking income from their pension pots are being unusually cautious at the moment, according to new figures. Economic uncertainty has prompted pensioners without a guaranteed income to spend less and take a prudent approach. A significant drop…
Nearly half of women in the UK haven’t thought about how much income they want in retirement, or how much they need to save to get it. New research suggests that women may be less pension-conscious than men – but why? Around four in 10 women in the UK…
When was the last time you reviewed the recipients of your insurance policies? Insurance provider Phoenix Life has found that the majority of people have forgotten to update their policies after setting them up. This could result in money going to the…
The later you leave it to think about your retirement, the less likely you’ll be able to fund the lifestyle you want when you’re older – and it seems lots of people now think they’ll have to keep on working beyond the age when they thought they’d be…
Nearly twice as many people are seeking pension drawdown advice as pension withdrawals hit a new high in the wake of the coronavirus crisis. But those acting without independent advice risk making some big mistakes. The UK has seen a rapid rise in the…
There’s more than one nasty disease out there. The social and economic effects of COVID-19 have created openings for pension fraudsters to exploit – so retirees need to be on their guard. Just as the coronavirus crisis has brought out the best in hum…
People who divorce may face an ongoing financial hit from it throughout their retirement, according to new research by Prudential. Younger divorcees and women especially are making potentially very costly mistakes by under-valuing their pensions. The…
You may be well on the way to middle age, but some of life’s most important mysteries still remain unexplored. It’s natural to be shy about discussing it in public – but in this new era of pension freedom, practically everyone’s doing it. Shouldn’t y…
Do you know your defined contribution pension from your money purchase pension? Wait – aren’t they the same thing? Here’s a pension primer with a difference, as we tell you what all those confusing terms really mean. Reading about pensions is enough …
NorthStar is proud to be a member of the leading financial planning trade associations. Through a continued commitment to work to the highest professional standards and deliver real value to all clients, our work has been rewarded with a number of awards and professional accreditations.
