Ready to set sail for pension freedom? Then watch out for those rocks. There are more ways than ever to get the kind of retirement you dream of – but for a whole generation these are uncharted waters. Here are seven reasons why you may need an expert…
In the blue corner, the long-reigning champion of retirement planning: the annuity! In the red corner, the challenger for the pension freedom crown: drawdown! But which is better? There’s only one way to find out. Some people enjoy a flutter now and…
When you say the word ‘pension’ to most people they see it as something to worry about in the middle age. Who wants to be thinking about getting old and what retirement might look like when you’re young? The problem is that for most people, by the ti…
The world of pensions is ever-changing. Rules of thumb that many people took for granted may no longer apply. This could well apply to final salary pension schemes and some questions are now being asked about whether they remain the ‘gold-plated’ opt…
Did you know that we lose most of our savings through our heads? That’s right – because we don’t think about how much unnecessary tax we’re paying. Here are some ways to make sure your money is wrapped up tight, to keep out those (over) draughts. If your …
Many people have saved long and hard for their retirement using a pension to invest their money. It’s not only important to think about how your pension can best fund your own retirement, but also to think about how you could pass on your pension to your s…
We’re now more than a year into so-called ‘pension freedom’, and the UK is starting to get a feel for the new way in which pensions work. If you plan to take your pension within the next five to ten years, make your choices easier with these tips and rules…
As people live ever longer lives, we look at the financial challenges this might present in future. We also consider what action we can take today to ensure we can all afford to live a long, happy and fulfilling life. People are living longer – much lon…
What is it about pensioners and parachutes? We turn 55 and feel suddenly compelled to fling ourselves from high places strapped to an outsized duvet cover. But by a neat coincidence, skydiving can teach us a crucial lesson about retirement. Picture the sc…
Pension annuity rates have been falling for some time – and the Brexit vote sent them tumbling still further. Can an annuity still provide could value for you in retirement, or should you explore other options? We take you through some ‘what if?’ scenarios…
Annuity rates are at record lows and long-term uncertainty looms in the wake of the Brexit vote. We look at how can you plan your retirement income under these conditions. Since the country voted for Brexit on 23 June there has been both good and bad news…
Many more of us are saving into a workplace pension which is great news, but very few of us take any further interest in those pensions. By not looking more carefully at how your pension is invested, you could be missing out on tens or even hundreds of tho…
For most people lucky enough to own one, their biggest financial asset is their house. And it may have been your long-term plan to sell up in retirement and live off the proceeds. But when it comes to the crunch, could you do it? Our ‘Look before you leap’…
With new freedoms come new risks Last week’s BBC Panorama show entitled ‘Pension Rip Offs Exposed’ highlighted a conundrum for people saving for their retirement. The reality is there are a lot of excellent pensions doing a great job for investors that w…
For most people, their pensions are likely to be their primary source of income in retirement. With average life expectancy in the UK rising all the time, pensions will have to fund our lifestyles for an even longer period. With this in mind, it is crucial…
Many people find it hard to make time to manage their money. As well as the complexities around financial products, we find that the biggest barrier to people staying in control of their money is often down to a lack of time and effort devoted to their fin…
What is pensions auto-enrolment? The law on workplace pensions has changed. Every employer with at least one member of staff now has new duties, including enrolling those who are eligible into a workplace pension scheme and contributing towards it. This …
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.
