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How to take a career break and keep your pension on track
If you’re planning to take a career break, being proactive and considering the potential long-term implications could help you keep your pension and long-term plans on track.

Tom from Harken Financial
May 274 min read
6 in 10 over-45s are underestimating the cost of care by thousands of pounds
A report suggests that 6 in 10 over-45s are underestimating the cost of a care home by thousands of pounds. Understanding the expected costs and creating a care plan could ease stress for you and your family should you need support in the future.

Tom from Harken Financial
Feb 234 min read
The power of pension tax relief and how it could boost your retirement income
Pension tax relief can significantly bolster your future retirement income. Here's why it's worth ensuring you've claimed all you're entitled to.

Tom from Harken Financial
Feb 234 min read
Does your income make you a “Henry”? Here are some ways it could affect tax considerations
High earners striving to build wealth, dubbed “Henrys” (high earner, not rich yet), may find their tax position changes drastically as their income grows. Being aware of your tax liability now and in the future could allow you to create a financial plan that helps you get more out of your money by potentially reducing your tax bill. There isn’t a clear definition of how much you need to earn to be a Henry or what constitutes being “wealthy”. A huge range of factors could affe

Tom from Harken Financial
Aug 19, 20255 min read
4 useful insights from a decade of Pension Freedoms
A decade ago, the introduction of Pension Freedoms shook up retirement planning and gave retirees more options than ever. Before 2015, if you had a defined contribution (DC) pension, the common route was to use the money accumulated to purchase an annuity. The annuity would then provide you with a regular income, usually for the rest of your life. While an annuity can be valuable in some circumstances, it isn’t flexible. To give retirees more choice, Pension Freedoms were int

Tom from Harken Financial
May 20, 20254 min read
State Pension: Everything you need to know in 2025/26
For many pensioners, the State Pension provides a foundation to build their retirement income. Whether you’re already claiming the State Pension or it’s still some years away, here’s what you need to know in 2025/26. In the 2025/26 tax year, you can claim the State Pension from the age of 66. However, the age will gradually start to increase from 6 May 2026 to 67, and it’s expected to rise further in the future. You won’t automatically receive the State Pension when you reach

Tom from Harken Financial
Feb 11, 20254 min read
The pensions basics you need to know as a self-employed worker
As a self-employed worker, managing your finances can be more complex. One area you might have overlooked or be unsure where to start with is saving for your retirement. According to the House of Commons Library, there are 4.24 million self-employed work ers in the UK as of July 2024, and research indicates many don’t understand pensions. Indeed, an interactive investor survey asked self-employed workers three basic pension questions and found that just 9% could answer all th

Tom from Harken Financial
Nov 12, 20244 min read
Underestimating the amount you need in retirement: How a mid-life check can help
Do you know how much you need to save into your pension for the retirement you want? Millions of pension savers are underestimating how...

Tom from Harken Financial
Nov 13, 20204 min read
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