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As Prudential is fined £24m for its former practice of selling annuities to customers without encouraging them to shop around, there are signs that these retirement products are becoming better value – for those who choose wisely.
The good news: pension scheme membership is growing. Not so good: the average level of saving is falling. New HMRC figures show that although the pension message is getting through, many remain unaware of how big a retirement fund they will need.
Those who rent their homes are running higher risks that they won’t be able to maintain their monthly payments, in comparison to homeowners. But affordable income protection is now being designed with renters in mind.
For growing numbers of people, the 9-to-5 job is giving way to five to nine mini-jobs at once. With technology allowing for multiple income streams, it’s vital for ‘gig-workers’ to take better control of their personal tax and financial planning.
High-risk borrowing is at its highest level since the 2008 financial crisis, according to the Bank of England. But as first-time buyers benefit from record low fixed rates, there is a danger that some are overreaching themselves.
Crime against older people has taken an even nastier turn. Now that pensions are more easily accessible, con-artists are scenting easy money. Fight back against the pension muggers with our self-defence tips.
Users of Unbiased reveal their solid grasp of some aspects of personal finance – but worrying gaps in other areas. We break down the results of our ‘Back to School’ money quiz to show where people most need advice.
‘One day, son, sixty per cent of this will be yours…’ Is inheritance tax the most unpopular tax of all? IFA Steve Johnson offers his tips for those who feel they have already been ‘taxed to death’.
Fears of a global downturn and other pressures such as Brexit are prompting UK investors to take a defensive stance. Higher-growth equities are being ditched in favour of more stable bonds and gold, which are seeing extraordinary demand.
Could the state pension age be increased to 75? That’s the proposal of the controversial think-tank behind Universal Credit – while a report by Aviva reveals worrying ignorance over pensions in general.
Do you know your defined contribution pension from your money purchase pension? Wait - aren't they the same thing? Welcome to our pension primer with a difference, as we tell you what all those confusing terms really mean...
Super-long fixed rate mortgage deals continue to make a comeback, as Virgin Money launches the first 15-year fix since 2008. The mortgage is available for buyers with surprisingly low deposits – but such long deals may not be right for every buyer.
The Help-to-Buy ISA closed to new applicants in 2019, while another popular home-buying resource – the Help-to-Buy equity loan scheme – is also ending in the near future. But this double whammy for first-time buyers isn’t as bad as it looks.