If you haven’t used your ISA allowance for the 2023/24 tax year, it could be wise to review your options over the next few weeks before the 2024/25 tax year starts. Read on to discover some of the reasons why an ISA could make sense for you. Government statistics show that ISAs are a popular way to save and invest. Indeed, the latest data shows 11.8 million adult ISAs benefited from a deposit during the 2021/22 tax year (slightly down from 12.2 million in 2020/21). Collective

The pension Annual Allowance increased significantly in the 2023/24 tax year. If you haven’t already reviewed whether the changes could mean you can tax-efficiently add more to your pension, doing so before the current tax year ends on 5 April 2024 might be beneficial. The Annual Allowance is up to £60,000 in 2023/24 The Annual Allowance is the amount you can add to your pension each tax year while retaining tax relief. However, you can only claim tax relief on up to 100% of

Life insurance could ensure your family’s security if you pass away. It may be an important part of your financial plan and could provide peace of mind. Understanding the potential payout your family would need could help you choose an appropriate level of cover. If you take out a life insurance policy and pass away during the term, it would pay out a lump sum to your beneficiary. The beneficiary may use the money how they wish. They might use it to cover day-to-day expenses

More people in England and Wales are celebrating their 100th birthday. It could have implications for your financial plan and creating an income in retirement. According to a release from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), on Census Day in 2021, there were 13,924 centenarians living in England and Wales. The oldest person to complete the census was 112. While centenarians represent just 0.02% of the total population, the number of people celebrating the milestone is gr

As inflation remains stubborn, and interest rates may have to remain higher for longer, recessionary concerns have grown around the world. Read on to discover some of the factors that may have affected your investment portfolio in October 2023. When reviewing short-term market movements, remember to focus on your long-term investment goals. UK After a slump in July, official data shows the UK economy grew by 0.2% in August with the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reporti

Aspiring homeowners who used the Help-to-Buy equity loan scheme to get on the property ladder could face an unexpected rise in their interest payments due to inflation. According to the government, the Help-to-Buy scheme helped more than 375,000 aspiring homeowners turn their dreams into a reality between 2013 and 2022, the majority of which were first-time buyers. In total, £23.7 billion was lent through the scheme, which funded £105.4 billion of property purchases. Under th

Planning for your death can be emotionally difficult, but it could be a huge help to your loved ones. Research suggests administering an estate after a loved one has passed away can affect mental health and finances. Read on to learn more about some of the steps you could take to help your family manage your affairs. According to the Exizent Bereavement Index 2023, more than half of people dealing with bereavement and administering an estate say it’s harmed their mental healt

Regular financial reviews may help keep you on track to meet your goals and give you confidence in the steps you’re taking. As well as reviewing your assets, you might also want to make changes to your plan. Last month, you read about why you shouldn’t skip your financial reviews and how they could help you reach your goals. Now, read on to discover two reasons why you might want to make changes to your financial plan during a review. Updating your plan in response to short-t

Data from economies around the world indicate business output and confidence could be slowing. Read on to find out what influenced the investment market in July 2023. Despite some data suggesting there could be a downturn in some areas, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has lifted its global growth forecast for 2023. The organisation now expects the global economy to grow by 3%, up from its previous prediction of 2.8%. Globally, both households and businesses could face p

Applying for a mortgage can be stressful. You might worry a lender will reject your application and the effect it could have on your plans. A better understanding of what lenders are considering when making a decision may be useful and could reduce anxiety. Even if you’ve been through the mortgage process before, rising interest rates could mean you feel more nervous about your application. Some homeowners are finding that, despite being up to date with their mortgage payment