Before You Transfer Your Pension: The Regulated Advice Requirement
Transferring a defined benefit pension worth more than £30,000 requires regulated financial advice from an FCA-authorised adviser. DB pension transfers are
Before You Withdraw from Your Pension Early: Tax Traps and Scam Risks
Withdrawing from a pension before age 55 (57 from 2028) triggers a 55% HMRC tax charge in most cases. Pension liberation scams have stolen billions from sa
Triple Lock Pension UK 2026: State Pension at £241.30 a Week and Why the Tax Threshold Is Now Just £23 Away
The triple lock raised the full new state pension by 4.8% to £241.30 per week from April 2026, driven by earnings growth. At £12,547 a year, the state pension now sits just £23 below the frozen personal allowance of £12,570. Here is a complete guide to how the triple lock works, the 2026/27 rates, a
FCA Consults on New SIPP Standards: What CP26/20 Means for Pension Holders and Operators
The FCA published Consultation Paper CP26/20 on 22 June 2026, proposing minimum due diligence standards for all SIPP operators and a new Pension Scheme Money and Assets regime to protect pension funds. The consultation closes 24 August 2026. Here is a full explanation of what is proposed, why it mat
Pension Scam Protection 2026: New DWP Rules and How to Spot a Pension Fraud
DWP announced strengthened pension scam protections on 9 June 2026 under the Pension Schemes Act 2026. Trustees can now refuse suspicious transfers. Eight scam warning signs every pension saver should know.
DB Pension Surplus Release 2026: DWP Consults on Unlocking £160bn for Employers and Members
4 in 5 defined benefit pension schemes are now in surplus. DWP launched a consultation on 10 June 2026 on rules to release some of the estimated £160bn surplus. What it means for members and employers.
Mineworkers Pension Scheme 2026: Labour Considers £1bn Extra Payment and Surplus Rule Change
Labour is weighing a further £1 billion for the Mineworkers' Pension Scheme on top of the £3.8bn already paid since 2024. What the 1994 deal was and what could change.
Pension Triple Lock 2026: 4.8% Rise, £241.30 Per Week and the Tax Threshold Warning
The triple lock delivered a 4.8% State Pension rise in April 2026. Full new State Pension is now £241.30 per week - just £22.40 below the frozen Personal Allowance. What this means for pensioners.
FCA SIPP Consultation 2026: What New Due Diligence Rules Mean for Pension Savers
The FCA launched consultation CP26/20 on 22 June 2026, proposing clearer due diligence standards and stronger asset protection rules for SIPP operators, following 26 insolvencies between 2010 and 2025.
UK Parents Supporting Children to Age 26: How to Protect Your Own Finances While Helping
UK parents expect to financially support their children until age 26, with only 9 percent believing their children will be self-sufficient by 21, according to an M&G survey. A quarter of parents plan to help with a home deposit, forcing many to adjust their own retirement planning.
HMRC State Pension Tax Error: 1.7 Million Pensioners Overcharged and How to Reclaim
HMRC has apologised after a self-assessment error overcharged around 1.7 million pensioners by about 43.5m pounds. How it happened, who is affected, and how to reclaim.
HMRC Pension Tax Error: What to Do If You Have Been Overcharged
HMRC pension tax errors affect thousands of UK savers each year. This guide explains the most common mistakes, how to check if you have been overcharged and the steps to claim a refund.
UK Pension Increases and Contributions 2026: Annual Limits, Employer Rules and State Pension Uprating
The annual pension contribution allowance is 60,000 pounds in 2026/27 for most savers. The state pension increased by 4.1 percent in April 2026 under the triple lock. Employers must contribute at least 3 percent under auto-enrolment.
Is Domestic and General worth it? An honest 2026 assessment
KAEL TRIPTON - HONEST ASSESSMENT Is Domestic and General worth it? DependsOn the appliance FRN 312468FCA authorised FCA scrutinyConsumer Duty Self-insuranceAlternative to
Wealthiest Over-65s in Europe: Where the UK Stands
European pensioners vary significantly in wealth and income. This article examines which countries have the wealthiest over-65s, where the UK sits in the comparison, and what drives the gap.
Andy Burnham State Pension Policy: What It Means for Retirees
Andy Burnham has put forward proposals on state pension policy. This article explains what is being proposed, how it differs from the current triple lock, and what it could mean for current and future retirees.
HMRC Pensioner Income Tax Error: What Pensioners Need to Know
HMRC has issued an alert about income tax errors affecting pensioners on PAYE. Here is what has gone wrong, who is affected, and how to check and correct your tax code.
HMRC Winter Fuel Payment Clawback 2026: What Pensioners Need to Know
Around 2 million pensioners with income over £35,000 face automatic repayment of their Winter Fuel Payment through adjusted tax codes from April 2026. Here is how it works.
Investment platform fees compared UK
Compare UK investment platform fees by account type: Vanguard, Hargreaves Lansdown, AJ Bell and interactive investor. Published charges only, as of June
MOT Advisory: Suspension Arm Bush Worn: What It Means
A suspension arm bush worn advisory flags wear in a rubber suspension bush that has not yet failed. What the note means, what a bush does, and when worn bushes become a major MOT defect.
What Is Marriage Allowance? UK Tax Break Explained for 2026/27
Marriage allowance lets a person transfer part of their unused personal allowance to a spouse or civil partner. For 2026-27 up to 1,260 GBP (HMRC) can move across, provided the lower earner pays no tax and the higher earner is a basic-rate taxpayer.
What Is FSCS protection? UK Meaning Explained
FSCS protection is the compensation the Financial Services Compensation Scheme provides if a UK-authorised financial firm fails. It covers eligible deposits, investments, pensions and insurance up to set limits, so customers can recover money when a regulated provider collapses.
What Is the bid-offer spread? UK Meaning Explained
The bid-offer spread is the gap between the price at which an investment can be sold (the bid) and the higher price at which it can be bought (the offer). The difference is an immediate cost borne by the investor.
What Is compounding? UK Meaning Explained
Compounding is the process where returns earn further returns over time. As interest or investment growth is added to the original amount, future growth is calculated on the larger balance, so gains accelerate the longer money is left invested.
What Is the ongoing charges figure (OCF)? UK Meaning Explained
The ongoing charges figure (OCF) is a standardised yearly percentage showing the cost of running an investment fund. It covers the manager's fee and other operating costs, letting investors compare fund expenses on a like-for-like basis.
What Is a platform fee? UK Meaning Explained
A platform fee is the charge an investment platform makes for holding and administering investments such as ISAs, pensions and funds. It is separate from the charges of the funds themselves and pays for the service that houses them.
What Is an ETF? UK Meaning Explained
An ETF, or exchange-traded fund, is a pooled investment that trades on a stock exchange like a share. It usually tracks an index, commodity or basket of assets, and its price moves throughout the trading day.
What Is an OEIC? UK Meaning Explained
An OEIC, or open-ended investment company, is a pooled fund that issues and cancels shares as investors buy in or sell out. Money from many investors is combined and run by a fund manager across a spread of assets.
What Is an index fund? UK Meaning Explained
An index fund is an investment fund that aims to track the performance of a market index, such as the FTSE 100, rather than trying to beat it. It holds the index constituents in proportion, keeping costs low.
What Is pound cost averaging? UK Meaning Explained
Pound cost averaging is investing a fixed sum at regular intervals rather than all at once. Because the same amount buys more units when prices are low and fewer when high, it smooths the average price paid over time.